Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 9th, 2019 5:18PM

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

ldreier, Avalanche Canada

South Columbia.

As soon as the sun comes out the surface snow will moisten quickly and increase the potential of loose wet avalanches. Wind slabs in immediate alpine lee features may be reactive to human triggering.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Few clouds / moderate north wind / freezing level 1200 mWEDNESDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / light northwest wind / alpine high temperature -4 C / freezing level 1900 mTHURSDAY: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / 5 cm snow accumulation overnight / light west wind / alpine high temperature -5 C / freezing level 1700 mFRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / light westerly wind / alpine high temperature -4 C / freezing level 1700 m

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, a size 2 human triggered slab avalanche on an east aspect in the alpine was reported as well as a size 1.5 explosive triggered cornice which didn't trigger an avalanche on the slope. On Monday, several natural and human triggered loose wet avalanches up to size 2 were observed on sun exposed slopes in the alpine. There were also reports of several natural, human and explosive triggered storm slab avalanches and wind slabs in immediate lee features up to size 2 in the alpine on west, north and east aspects.

Snowpack Summary

15-35 cm of recent storm snow that fell over the weekend sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals). On northern aspects the new snow is not bonding as well and humans can trigger storm slab avalanches. On sun exposed slopes the new snow might release as loose wet avalanches. Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.

Problems

Loose Wet

Expect the snow surface to moisten and the potential for loose wet avalanche to increase on sun exposed slopes as soon as the sun is coming out.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Minimize overhead exposure to cornices above.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

35 cm of storm snow is slowly bonding with the dry snow on north aspects which might still hold older wind slabs. Moderate north wind overnight might create a new shallow wind slab in immediate lee features on south aspects.

Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 10th, 2019 2:00PM