Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 11th, 2013 10:34AM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Due to a lack of information sources at this time of year, this forecast is based primarily on weather data. If you have been traveling in the backcountry recently, send us your observations. Email us at forecaster@avalanche.ca

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to limited field observations for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Friday: Mainly overcast with some sunny breaks early in the day. Clouds increasing in the afternoon with light precipitation possible. Freezing level 1000m and strong southwest winds.Saturday: Light to moderate precipitation possible with the passage of a cold front. Freezing level 1400m. Winds moderate from the west.Sunday: A cold and unstable airmass will bring a mixed bag of weather conditions. Cool temperatures, mainly overcast with some sunny breaks and possible snow showers.

Avalanche Summary

Loose wet or moist snow is expected to continue to release naturally from steep terrain or rocky areas at lower elevations if temperatures rise and the sun comes out.

Snowpack Summary

Overnight freezing has consolidated previously loose wet snow at treeline and above. Recent moderate winds may have developed windslabs at upper elevations. Surface crusts are expected to break down during the day and then re-freeze overnight. Moist or wet snow below treeline is not expected to have much of a recovery and may continue to be isothermal and weak.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent snow and gusty winds may have formed windslabs in lee features in the alpine

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

Loose moist or wet snow may continue to release naturally from steep terrain or rocky cliffs. Moist or wet snow in motion may scour down to the ground where the snowpack is isothermal.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Apr 12th, 2013 2:00PM