Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 5th, 2015 9:17AM

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

Avalanche Canada bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

The hazard may increase with daytime heating on solar aspects.  If you have information to share with other riders, tell us what you've seen here on the Mountain Information Network

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Sunny with cloudy periods for the forecast period. Mostly light south easterly alpine winds are expected. Daytime highs will bring the freezing level to around 1500m for the next few days, then climbing to close to 2000m by mid week.

Avalanche Summary

No reports of avalanches from the past few days.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow brings the total for the last few precipitation events to 50cm in some parts of the forecast area. This accumulated storm snow is sitting on a variety of old crusty surfaces.  In addition, recent winds have scoured windward slopes and loaded lee features. Persistent weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack include hard crusts and/or facets, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of these layers. At the base of the snowpack, especially in areas of shallow snow, weak facets may be found. Cornices are now large and potentially fragile.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Recent storm snow has been redistributed in some areas into soft wind slabs that might produce large enough avalanches to step down to potentially weaker layers.
Minimize overhead exposure; avalanches triggered by windloading may reach run out zones.>Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Apr 6th, 2015 2:00PM