Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 12th, 2019 6:11PM

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

Avalanche Canada ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

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Watch for fresh slab formation, especially in high elevation north facing features as a storm rolls into the region. If storm totals exceed 20 cm, the danger ratings should all be bumped up one level.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

The weather pattern looks more typically winter than we've seen in some time. Right now the weather models are in agreement that the region should receive 1 to 5 cm of convective snowfall Saturday with another 1 to 5 cm Saturday night. There is a bit of a lull Sunday and Monday before another shot of precipitation looks to make landfall on Tuesday.FRIDAY NIGHT: Freezing level around 1000 m, light west/northwest wind, trace of snow possible. SATURDAY: Overcast, freezing level around 1200 m, light to moderate south/southwest wind, 1 to 5 cm of snow.SUNDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level around 1300 m, light west wind, trace of snow possible. MONDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level rising to around 1400 m, light variable wind, trace of snow possible.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday small loose wet avalanches were reported from steep terrain. If you're out we'd love it if you would submit what you're seeing to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of storm snow from last weekend now rests on a weak layer buried April 4th which consists of a 4 cm crust, surface hoar and facets. The recent snow has transitioned into a hard surface on most aspects and elevations with the exception of high alpine North aspects. Light to moderate wind generally out of the south over the last week may have formed wind slabs that may be sensitive to human triggering especially where it sits above the April 4th interface.Below treeline the snowpack is isothermal throughout much of the forecast region.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Up to 20 cm of storm snow sits on a widespread crust and we're expecting a bit of new snow Saturday. Wind slabs likely exist in high elevation north facing features where human triggering is most likely immediately lee of ridgecrest.
Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.Be alert to conditions that change throughout the day.

Aspects: North, North East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 13th, 2019 2:00PM

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