Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 11th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs, Cornices and Loose Dry.
zryan,
Avalanche Canada
Don't let good weather lure you into dangerous terrain.
Dry storm snow may be seeing its first test of strong sun, and avalanche danger could increase rapidly.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Observations are limited at this time of year, but we suspected a natural avalanche cycle occurred last weekend with heavy loading from snow, wind and rain.
Looking forward to Wednesday, strong solar input has the potential to rapidly destabilize the dry surface snow. Back off steep solar slopes during periods of strong sun.
Snowpack Summary
Below 1000 meters, a thick crust exists on or near the surface. Above this elevation, 20-50 cm of dry snow has accumulated above a melt-freeze crust that extends to at least 1800 meters. At treeline and above, recent storm snow has been blown into wind slabs on west through east aspects. Below the new snow is a strong, well-settled snowpack.
Weather Summary
Tuesday night
Mainly clear. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -2 °C. Ridge wind northwest 10-25 km/h. Freezing level drops to 700 metres.
Wednesday
Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 3 °C. Ridge wind northwest 10-25 km/h. Freezing level rises to 1400 metres.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 0 °C. Ridge wind light from the southwest. Freezing level rises to 1100 metres.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -1 °C. Ridge wind light from the south. Freezing level rises to 900 metres.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow and southerly wind have formed storm slabs at treeline and above, with deeper more reactive pockets expected in wind-loaded areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
The recent storm formed large and fragile cornices. Be especially cautious during periods of strong sun, natural cornice failures have the potential to initiate large slab avalanches on the slopes below.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Strong solar input may rapidly impact the surface snow, initiating dry loose avalanches from steep terrain.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 12th, 2023 4:00PM
