Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 17th, 2019 3:28PM

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

Avalanche Canada mconlan, Avalanche Canada

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Thursday won't be a fun day in the mountains. Rain will saturate a previously dry alpine snowpack. Best to stay out of alpine avalanche terrain and avoid overhead exposure during the heavy rain.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with rain, accumulation 15 mm, moderate to strong southwest wind, treeline temperature 3 C, freezing level 2200 m.

THURSDAY: Cloudy with rain, accumulation 30 to 40 mm, moderate to strong southwest wind, treeline temperature 4 C, freezing level 2500 m.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with rain, accumulation 30 mm, strong southwest wind, treeline temperature 3 C, freezing level 1800 m.

SATURDAY: Mix of sun and clouds, light to moderate northwest wind, treeline temperature -1 C, freezing level 1300 m.

Avalanche Summary

There were no reports on avalanche activity on Tuesday. If you have any recent observations during your travels, we would greatly appreciate it if you posted a photo or any other information to the Mountain Information Network (MIN). Thanks!

Snowpack Summary

Rain to the mountain tops will fall onto dry snow above 1600 m and a consolidated, wet snowpack below 1600 m. The snowpack is rapidly melting below treeline.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Heavy rain will fall onto previously dry snow. The likelihood of both human-triggered and natural loose wet avalanches will increase quickly as the snow becomes saturated. Loose wet avalanches can rapidly grow in size and become very dangerous.

  • Avoid terrain traps such as cliffs and gullies that increase the consequence of small avalanches.
  • Best to avoid alpine avalanche terrain and limit overhead exposure at treeline and below.
  • Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy rain, as avalanches could travel far.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 18th, 2019 2:00PM