Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 6th, 2015 9:07AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

Use caution in wind affected terrain,. Pay attention to warming on solar aspects, and give cornice features a wide berth.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

Sunny with some cloudy periods for the forecast period. Mostly light south alpine winds are expected. Daytime highs will bring the freezing level to around 1500m for the next few days. The next Pacific frontal system is forecast to enter the region late Thursday.

Avalanche Summary

Few reports of loose wet sluffs on solar aspects in the afternoon. Cornices have been getting large and ripe

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow brings the total for the last few precipitation events to 50cm in some parts of the forecast area. This accumulated storm snow is sitting on a variety of old crusty surfaces. In addition, recent winds have scoured windward slopes and loaded lee features. A crust with surface hoar buried on March 25th has been identified as a potential problem in parts of the forecast region, but appears to be unreactive at this time.  At the base of the snowpack, especially in areas of shallow snow, weak facets may be found. Cornices are now large and potentially fragile, and solar aspects are becoming active in the late afternoons.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Recent snowfall with winds continue to build wind slabs in lee features.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.>Minimize overhead exposure; avalanches triggered by windloading may reach run out zones.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Apr 7th, 2015 2:00PM