Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 23rd, 2018 4:05PM

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

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Sunshine and rising temperatures will elevate the avalanche danger throughout the week. Be aware of changing conditions throughout the day and avoid overhead hazards. This is our final daily forecast for the season which will expire on April 25th.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate west wind. Alpine temperature +1. Freezing level 1500 m. WEDNESDAY: Sunny. Light northwest wind. Alpine temperature +6. Freezing level rapidly rising to 3000 m. THURSDAY: Sunny. Light southwest wind. Alpine temperature +10. Freezing level 2800 m.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche reports have been limited due to very few information sources this time of year. If you have been out, please post your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are large and when they fail there is the potential to trigger large avalanches on deeply buried weak layers. Around 40 cm down (up to 100 cm in deeper snowpack areas) there is a weak layer of surface hoar on shaded aspects at high elevations and hard crusts on sun-exposed slopes and below treeline.Sugary facets exist near the base of the snowpack in shallow, rocky snowpack areas.

Problems

Loose Wet

Sunshine and warming temperatures will increase the loose wet avalanche activity throughout the week.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Watch for signs that the snow is heating up such as pin-wheeling or the surface snow becoming moist.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Sunshine and warming temperatures will increase the likelihood of cornice failures.

Falling cornices may trigger persistent weak layers deeper in the snowpack.Cornices become weak with daytime heating. Give them a wide berth both from above and below.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Apr 24th, 2018 2:00PM