Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 23rd, 2019 3:58PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada cgarritty, Avalanche Canada

Field observations from the Northwest Inland are scarce. Use this forecast as a starting point for assessing the distribution and reactivity of recent wind slabs.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Tuesday night: Cloudy with clear periods. Possible isolated flurries and trace of new snow. Moderate to strong west winds.

Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud with a chance of isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Moderate to strong west winds. Alpine high temperatures around -8 with freezing levels to 1000 metres.

Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light variable winds. Alpine high temperatures around -6 with freezing levels to 1300 metres.

Friday: Increasingly cloudy with flurries developing over the day and continuing overnight. Up to 3 cm of new snow accumulating over the day. Light southeast winds. Alpine high temperatures around -6 with freezing levels to 1300 metres.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no recent reports of avalanche activity. If you're out we'd love it if you would submit what you're seeing to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

15-30 cm of new snow accumulated over the past week at upper elevations. This storm snow sits over a widespread, supportive melt-freeze crust from early April. Surface hoar and facets were previously observed on this crust on high north aspects. At lower elevations, ongoing warm weather has been promoting isothermal snowpack conditions and melting the snowpack away.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent snow and moderate to strong winds have likely built recent wind slabs in the lee of terrain features. These may remain reactive to human triggers on Wednesday.

  • Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 24th, 2019 2:00PM