Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 16th, 2019 4:05PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet and Storm Slabs.
dsaly,
Avalanche Canada
Be cautious of touchy deposits of fresh snow around ridges and in lee terrain. As freezing levels rise or the snowpack turns moist, the likelihood of triggering loose wet avalanches will increase, especially in areas with fresh snow.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm accumulation / southwest wind, 30-45 km/h / alpine low -6 C / freezing level 1300 m
WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, up to 5 cm snow / southwest wind, 35-50 km/h / alpine high +1 C / freezing level 1900 m
THURSDAY: Periods of wet snow, 10-20 cm rain or snow / southwest wind, 35 km/h / alpine high +1 C / freezing level 1900 m
FRIDAY: Sun, cloud, and isolated flurries, trace to 10 cm / west wind 15-40 km/h / alpine hight -1 C / freezing level 1600 m
Avalanche Summary
A natural avalanche cycle to size 2.5 was reported on Monday. Avalanches to size 2.5 were observed on all aspects above 2000 m failing on a crust or, in one case, isolated surface hoar, with crown depths of 70 cm. Three remotely triggered avalanches size 1.5-2 avalanches were triggered on east aspects around 2100-2200 m failing on facets, also with crown depths of 70 cm.
On Sunday a small (size 1) natural storm slab was observed on an east aspect at 2600 m.
A week ago Tuesday, a small (size 1) slab avalanche 30 cm deep was remotely triggered by a skier from 80 m away on a northeast aspect at 2250 m. A layer of small surface hoar below the most recent snow may have been the weak layer. This layer is now buried approximately 70 cm deep in the snowpack and may see increases stress as temperatures penetrate the snowpack.
Snowpack Summary
Sun and rising freezing levels are settling the 15-40 cm recent snow on all slopes to 2000 m and sunny slopes in the alpine. Where dry snow remains, slabs have developed around ridges and lee features. Around 70 cm snowfall through April now overlies a melt-freeze crust and, in select areas, facets or surface hoar. Natural avalanches on Monday failed at this interface.
Below treeline snow is disappearing rapidly.
Problems
Loose Wet
As the sun comes out and the snowpack warms and moistens, the likelihood of loose wet avalanches will increase.
- Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
- A moist/wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches all indicate a weakening snowpack.
- Loose wet avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
Southwesterly winds will redistribute recent storm snow, loading features around ridgecrests and steep rolls in the alpine and upper treeline elevations. Flurries or fresh snow may hide older, recently formed wind slabs.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 17th, 2019 2:00PM
