Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 6th, 2013 10:02AM

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

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

South Columbia.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: A much drier pattern is in place through Tuesday afternoon.Sunday: Freezing Level: 2000m Precip: No significant precip expected. Wind: Light, South.Monday: Freezing Level: 1600m Precip: 1/3mm â€“ 2/6cm Wind: Light, West.Tuesday: Freezing Level: 1800m Precip: 5/10mm â€“ 5/20cm Wind: Light, South

Avalanche Summary

Wet snow avalanches to size 2 ran naturally and were triggered by riders on Friday.Â Many of these avalanches started small but grew to size 2 as they moved down the slope. Solar aspects have recently been very active showing lots of natural loose wet avalanches and cornice releases up to size 2.5 when the sun has been shining. Expect glide cracks to continue releasing with warm temperatures and rain at lower elevations.

Snowpack Summary

At upper elevations 20-30cm of new snow is covering a crust or moist snow. In some places in the alpine and at treeline this new snow may have buried a recently formed layer of surface hoar or facets. At lower elevations (below 2000m) rain has made the snow surface wet or moist down 50-100cm. New snow combined with wind will have made large cornices even bigger.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow combined with wind has created windslabs in the lee of terrain features.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Loose Wet

With little re-freeze overnight below 1500m and continued rain, conditions can change rapidly at lower elevations. Avalanche activity, snowballing, moist and wet snow are initial indicators of deterioration and increased hazard.

Avoid travelling on slopes which are becoming wet due to rain, warm temperatures, or sun.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

New snow and wind have made large cornices even bigger.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Apr 7th, 2013 2:00PM