Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 18th, 2018 5:20PM

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

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Sunshine and rising freezing levels will increase the likelihood of loose wet avalanches and cornice failures. Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Sunny. Light southwest wind. Alpine temperature +2. Freezing level 2400 m.FRIDAY: Sunny. Light to moderate southwest wind. Alpine temperature +3. Freezing level 2500 m.SATURDAY: Sunny. Strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature -1. Freezing level 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region on Tuesday, although this time of year there is a lack of information being submitted to us. If you have been out, please take some time to post your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are large and looming. Lingering wind slabs formed by 10-15 cm of recent storm snow and southerly winds may still be reactive to human triggers in wind affected terrain at treeline and above. These wind slabs overlie numerous crusts within the top 100 cm of a moist snowpack. A well settled and moist mid-pack sits above sugary facets in many parts of the region, especially thin snowpack areas.

Problems

Loose Wet

When the sun comes out it will quickly weaken the new snow and cause loose wet avalanches on steep solar slopes.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Watch for signs that the snow is heating up such as pin-wheeling or the surface snow becoming moist.Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Sunshine and warming temperatures will increase the likelihood of cornice fall.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating. Give them a wide berth both from above and below.Falling cornices may trigger persistent weak layers deeper in the snowpack.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

Lingering wind slabs may still be reactive to human triggers in wind affected terrain.

Watch for signs of instability such as whumphing, cracking, or recent natural avalanching.Use caution when transitioning into wind affected terrain.Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 19th, 2018 2:00PM