Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 5th, 2019 3:00PM

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

kdevine, Avalanche Canada

South Columbia.

New snow and wind will mean that storm slabs are likely to be encountered, and may be reactive to human triggering, especially in wind loaded areas.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT - Flurries, 5-15 cm / southerly winds, 20-40 km/h / alpine low temperature near -6SATURDAY - Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, 5 cm / southwest winds, 20-50 km/h / alpine high temperature near -4 / freezing level 1700 mSUNDAY - Cloudy with flurries, 5-10 cm / southeast winds, 15-35 km/h / alpine high temperature near -4 / freezing level 1700 mMONDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries / west winds, 10-20 km/h / alpine high temperature near -4 / freezing level 1900 m

Avalanche Summary

Reactive storm slabs may be found at upper elevations. On Thursday, there were reports of a few natural, human and explosives triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 1.5, as well as a few size 1 loose wet avalanches.On Tuesday, there was a report of one size 2 natural loose wet avalanche on a south aspect at 2400 m.

Snowpack Summary

15-30 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals). Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Up to 30 cm of recent storm snow sits on a crust in most locations, and on dry snow on north facing alpine terrain. Storm slabs will likely be the most reactive in wind loaded areas.

Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing or cracking.Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 6th, 2019 2:00PM