Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 1st, 2017 4:33PM

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

Avalanche Canada triley, Avalanche Canada

Pockets of wind slab may continue to be reactive to human triggers. Avalanche danger is trending down with each overnight freeze.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Overnight:  Freezing levels down to 1300 metres by morning, with moderate northwest winds and the chance of a few flurries. Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud with light westerly winds and some convective flurries during the day and 8-10 cm in the evening. Monday: Re-freeze down to near valley bottoms, followed by light winds and cloudy skies with a chance of convective flurries. Tuesday: Good freeze followed by clear skies and light winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. On Friday in the Elk Valley North area, there were numerous loose wet avalanches up to size 2.0 at all elevations on solar exposed aspects. The valley fog in the morning may have reduced the effects of the sun below treeline.

Snowpack Summary

On Friday, the sun was strong at higher elevations and the surface snow became moist or wet in the Elk Valley North. Castle Mountain reported 26 cm of new snow overnight, that I suspect must have settled rapidly due to the strong sun and high freezing levels. On Thursday in Crowsnest North, the sun was strong in the morning and solar aspects became moist up into the alpine. There was still some dry snow on north aspects in the alpine. The bottom third of the snowpack is composed of weak facets and full-depth avalanches over this basal weakness remain a concern, and may be triggered by large loads like cornice falls, or strong solar radiation on a clear day.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may continue to be triggered in the alpine on shaded slopes.
Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
This problem continues to be a concern until temperatures cool down and we see a good overnight freeze.
Recognize and avoid avalanche runout zones.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Apr 2nd, 2017 2:00PM