Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 6th, 2013 9:49AM

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

Avalanche Canada triley, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Sunday: Modified arctic air is expected to influence the Northern regions lowering Alpine temperatures and resulting in light variable winds.Monday: Continued influence from a ridge of High pressure should bring clearing skies and light winds.Tuesday: The next Pacific Low pressure system is forecast to move on to the North coast and start sliding down the coast to the South.

Avalanche Summary

No new reports of avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

10-15 cm of new snow sits on a variety of old snow surfaces including a melt-freeze crust, moist snow, sugary facets, and wind affected snow. Pockets of wind slab could develop in exposed lee terrain over the next several days. 30 - 60 cm of snow overlies a crust, old wind slabs or surface hoar layer buried on March 9th. The distribution of the surface hoar is also highly variable and it does not exist in every drainage. I would still remain cautious and continue to dig and test before diving into my line. Deeper in the snowpack, basal facets may resurface as a concern with continued mild temperatures.Cornices have become well-developed and could easily become unstable during periods of warm weather or direct solar radiation.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Thin new wind slabs could form in exposed lee terrain and cross-loaded features. Triggering may be possible in steep terrain.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Large cornices may be weak and fall off naturally during warm temperatures or from increased loading.
Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 6

Valid until: Apr 7th, 2013 2:00PM