Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 25th, 2014 8:36AM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Wet and Deep Persistent Slabs.

triley, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

We are no longer issuing danger ratings for this region due to a lack of field data.Please refer to this blog post for more insight into managing the current conditions.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Saturday: Cloudy overnight with freezing levels dropping down to 1000 metres. Chance of some light precipitation combined with strong Southeast winds overnight and continuing during the day with freezing level climbing to 1500 metres.Sunday: Cloudy with Easterly winds and light to moderate precipitation. Freezing levels remaining between 1200-1400 metres.Monday: Continued unsettled weather with light precipitation and light to moderate Southwest winds.

Avalanche Summary

Expect new wind slabs and thin storm slabs to develop above recent melt-freeze crusts. These slabs may be easily triggered due to the hard sliding layer of the melt-freeze crust. Daily melt-freeze cycles may be weakening cornices, and they may fall off naturally or be easily triggered. Rain at lower elevations may cause new snow to weaken rapidly and slide out of steep terrain, sometimes gathering mass in constrained terrain features. Deep persistent weak layers may be triggered by rapidly warming temperatures, strong solar radiation, or rain.

Snowpack Summary

The spring snow-pack is comprised of many layers of melt-freeze crusts, thin new snow layers, and stiff wind slabs in the alpine. The snow-pack may be very different depending on elevation, with moist or wet snow in the valleys and near winter conditions in the alpine. The weather can change rapidly at this time of year, and this may result in different types of avalanche problems. Danger is most likely to increase if there is a substantial new snow storm with wind, or if the temperatures increase rapidly with or without sunshine. Our plan is to place a link in the headline that explains general risk scenarios associated with the forecast weather. We will not issue danger ratings for this region due to the lack of data as a result of professional operators closing for the season.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Forecast new snow may develop new wind slabs in the alpine. Recent wind slabs have been reported to be stiff and may continue to be triggered by human activity.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

Snow may become moist or wet during periods of day time warming. Loose wet snow may release naturally from steep terrain.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deeply buried persistent weak layers continue to be a concern for isolated hard to predict avalanches. Avalanches releasing on these deep layers may be more likely during periods of strong solar radiation, or when there is no overnight freeze.

Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried facets and surface hoar.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Apr 26th, 2014 2:00PM