Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 26th, 2019 4:00PM

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

Parks Canada Timothy Johnson, Parks Canada

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Watch for reverse loading as the wind direction switches to the North late Saturday.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Parker Ridge:

Saturday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Treeline temperature: High -5 C.

Ridge wind north: 20 km/h gusting to 75 km/h.

Freezing level: 1500 metres.

Sunday : Flurries. Accumulation: 6 cm. Treeline temperature: Low -12 C, High -6 C.

Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h.

Freezing level: 1600 metres.

Snowpack Summary

10cm of snow is forecast for Parker Ridge on Saturday. This new snow will overly several crusts / facet layers in the upper 40cm, and a faceted layer down 70cm on shady aspects. Watch for a switch in wind direction Saturday afternoon to the north. Windslabs can be expected on most aspects in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

Recent signs of cornice failure and wind slabs in the high alpine.

Confidence

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

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Expect windslab on most aspects in the alpine.

  • Watch for whumphing, hollow sounds and shooting cracks.
  • Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Recent storm snow has formed wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Snow on Saturday night could increase the likelihood of triggering.

  • Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.
  • Note recent avalanche activity.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Apr 27th, 2019 4:00PM