Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 6th, 2019 3:00PM

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

kdevine, Avalanche Canada

Purcells.

Wind slabs are likely to be encountered at upper elevations and may be reactive to human triggering, especially in lee features.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with isolated flurries / southwest winds, 30-50 km/h / alpine low temperature near -7SUNDAY - Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries / southwest winds, 10-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -4 / freezing level 1800 mMONDAY - A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries / south winds, 10-20 km/h / alpine high temperature near -3 / freezing level 2000 mTUESDAY - Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, 5 cm / west winds, 10-20 km/h / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 2000 m

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, there were a few reports of natural and human triggered storm and wind slab avalanches in the alpine, as well as a few human triggered loose wet avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow. Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.The base of the snowpack is composed of sugary faceted snow. The likelihood of triggering an avalanche on this layer is lower during colder periods and elevated during intense warming.Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Up to 20 cm of recent storm snow has been redistributed by strong southwest winds. Wind slabs have formed in lee areas in the alpine and at treeline.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 7th, 2019 2:00PM