Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 15th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada swerner, Avalanche Canada

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Watch for isolated wind slab reactivity in the alpine. Elsewhere a surface crust will limit avalanche activity.

Give cornices space - on ridgelines and on the slopes below.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Strong sunshine and rising temperatures produced loose wet avalanches up to size 2 over the past few days.

While cooler temperatures on Tuesday will limit the potential for wet avalanche activity, reactivity may linger in high elevation alpine terrain, especially north facing features where dry snow remains.

Snowpack Summary

A widespread surface crust likely exists at all elevations, except on high north-facing slopes which is expected to limit avalanche activity. Small pockets of wind-affected dry snow still exist on north-facing alpine slopes. With changing forecast winds you may see new wind slabs or wind affected snow on southerly facing slopes.

Below treeline elevations have minimal snow cover, if any at all. Expect challenging travel conditions with hazards like rocks, stumps and open creeks.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow. 15-30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level drops to valley bottom by the morning.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 to 10 cm of snow. 15-20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level around 1200 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10-20 km/h northerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level around 1700 m.

Thursday

Clear skies with some cloud. 10-20 km/h northeasterly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level around 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind affected dry snow may remain reactive to human triggers in the alpine. Weak cornices also exist above these slopes, and have the potential to be destructive on their own, or to trigger large avalanches on the slope below.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 16th, 2024 4:00PM

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