Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 12th, 2014 9:46AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet, Cornices and Deep Persistent Slabs.

slemieux, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Avalanche danger can rise very quickly with warming and solar radiation. Be aware of changing conditions and overhead hazards. Terrain choices and timing can be critical.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Tonight and Sunday: A ridge of high pressure is anchored over the province bringing clear skies, warm temperatures, freezing levels rising to 2000 m by the afternoon and light to moderate North West winds.Monday: Freezing levels dropping at valley bottom overnight and rising to around 2200 m during the day. Mostly sunny with some cloudy periods and light winds. Tuesday: A low pressure system is expected to bring some light precipitation later during the day and cooler temperatures.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

~15 cm of new snow fell throughout the day in the some areas of the region. This new snow was transported by light to moderate Northerly winds most likely creating touchy windslabs on lee alpine slopes. The new snow is sitting on a crust above 1400 m or a moist surface below this elevation. Snow stability is expected to decrease as the day progresses tomorrow, weakening the fresh windslabs and cornices. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 80-100 cm) should stay on your radar, especially on all alpine slopes that will see the intense sun tomorrow. Any activity at this interface would be large and destructive.

Problems

Loose Wet

Periods of intense solar radiation or pronounced warming could result in some loose wet activity, especially on steep slopes.

Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

Daytime heating makes cornices droop and become unstable. Also, if anything is still able to trigger a deep persistent weak layer, it's a cornice release.

Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Deep Persistent Slabs

The forecasted intense solar and warm temperatures could trigger the deeply buried weak layer especially on the slopes that have not seen such a heat shock yet.

Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.>Be aware of the potential for very large avalanches due to the presence of a deep persistent weak layer.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Apr 13th, 2014 2:00PM