Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 5th, 2018 4:51PM

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

jmcbride, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Watch for wind slabs in open areas at treeline and above. And, be mindful of cornices along ridgelines, a cornice failure could trigger slabs on the slopes below.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

TONIGHT: Flurries. Accumulation 2-8 cm. Ridge wind light, east. Alpine temperature near -15. Freezing level valley bottom.FRIDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. Ridge wind light, west. Alpine temperature near -5. Freezing level 700 m.SATURDAY: Mainly cloudy, light flurries. Accumulation 2-8 cm. Ridge wind moderate to strong, southwest. Alpine temperature near 0. Freezing level 800 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 2-8 cm. Ridge wind moderate to strong, west. Alpine temperature near 0. Freezing level 1800 m.Â

Avalanche Summary

Wednesday small loose wet point releases were reported from steep rocky solar aspects.On Tuesday, small avalanches were observed in the Alexander Creek area. On Monday, small natural avalanches were reported from the region, and ski cutting produced similar small avalanches on wind-loaded features. Also on Monday, explosives triggered one size 2 wind slab avalanche on an east aspect at 2300 m. This avalanche ran on a 60 cm deep crust layer.

Snowpack Summary

10-15 cm of snow sits above a variety of crusts on all but high north aspects. Northern parts of the region have less new snow than southern parts. Wind has formed hard slabs in lee features, and in some cases the snow may be poorly bonded to the crusts.Multiple crusts exist in the top metre of the snowpack. Some parts of the region may have a surface hoar layer roughly 60 cm deep on north aspects at treeline.A well settled midpack sits above sugary facets in many parts of the region, especially thin snowpack areas.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Shifting winds have formed wind slabs in leeward terrain on a variety of aspects.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices that could possibly trigger slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Cornices are reported to be large and there have been recent observations of cornice releases.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 6th, 2018 2:00PM