Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 9th, 2018–Apr 10th, 2018

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

Little overnight freeze below 1900m translates to moist surface layers that are susceptible to natural and human triggering. Watch for an increasing avalanche danger with daytime warming.

Weather Forecast

Cloudy with sunny periods, light SW winds and a freezing level around 1900m today. Solar input will rapidly destabilize surface snow. Tuesday freezing levels should rise with an alpine high of +1C, flurries and moderate to strong gusty SW winds. Wednesday the trend is to slightly cooler temps, scattered flurries and light ridge winds.

Snowpack Summary

Rapid warming and solar input yesterday destabilized surface storm snow resulting in a wide spread avalanche cycle. Temperatures stayed above freezing as high as 1900m overnight. Moist surface layers will be prone to sloughing as temps warm today. On solar slopes the storm snow sits on a persistent crust.

Avalanche Summary

Over 40 avalanches recorded in the highway corridor yesterday up to size 3. Widespread avalanche cycle in the backcountry involving surface layers of snow. With no overnight recovery surface layer sloughing is expected to continue.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Moist surface snow ran naturally and was easily triggered by skiers on steeper terrain yesterday. With little overnight recovery below 1900m expect this problem to continue today.

Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche.Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

70-90cm of settled snow sits on the mid March crust/facet combo. This layer appears to be bonding well on polar aspects. On S'ly aspects, this layer fails suddenly in stability tests. Continued warming and overloading may cause this layer to fail.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3