Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 22nd, 2019 8:00AM

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

Parks Canada percy woods, Parks Canada

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Glacier.

Forecast snow with moderate SW winds will continue loading recent storm slabs. At and below treeline watch for an early crust break down. First bear observations this morning near Rogers Pass.

Summary

Weather Forecast

SW moderate to strong winds will usher in the next frontal system poised to bring around 15cm of snow to the alpine by Tuesday morning. Freezing level should rise to 2300m today, lowering to 1800m tonight. Below treeline elevations will see this precipitation in the form of rain. Cloudy with sunny breaks for and isolated flurries for Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

A surface crust exists this morning, but expect it to break down by midday. 35 mm of precipitation fell Thurs-Fri, falling primarily as rain up to ~1900 m and accompanied by mod to strong S'ly winds. The snowpack is isothermal BTL and thin areas at TL. Dry snow can still be found on Northerly aspects in the high alpine.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous avalanches occurred during and after the rain event on Friday. Most of the Cheops north facing pathes ran on April 19th. April 20 skiers remote triggered a size 2.5 slab on the skiers far left of the headwall of Youngs Peak in the afternoon. The slab was 80cm deep, 100m wide and ran 250m.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Forecast rain and a relatively warm overnight translates to a rapid surface crust breakdown by midday at and below treeline. Expect moist point release slides this afternoon.

  • Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Upwards of 50 cm of storm snow has accumulated in the high alpine. More snow forecast today with rising temperatures. Recent storm slabs are susceptible to human triggering given the right terrain features and increasing load.

  • Use caution in alpine and open treeline lees. Recent snowfall has created storm slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 23rd, 2019 8:00AM

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