Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 25th, 2019 4:13PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
jsmith,
Avalanche Canada
Lingering wind slabs may still be reactive to human triggers; especially on lee features below alpine ridgetops.
Summary
Confidence
Low - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY NIGHT: Few clouds / Light, northwesterly winds / Alpine low -5 C / Freezing level 1300 m.
FRIDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm. / Light, southwesterly winds / Alpine high -2 C / Freezing level 1700 m.
SATURDAY: Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm. / Moderate, northerly winds / Alpine high -4 C / Freezing level 1400 m.
SUNDAY: Sunny / Light, northwesterly winds / Alpine high 0 C / Freezing level 1600 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, a naturally triggered size 2.5 storm slab avalanche was reported on a west aspect at 2400 m. with a crown depth of 100 cm. This avalanche may have been older than 24 hrs.
There are currently very few professional observers submitting daily observations. Please submit your observations to the MIN. Photos of avalanches or current conditions are particularly useful.
Snowpack Summary
5-10 cm. of new snow sits on a crust everywhere except high north facing terrain. Wind slabs created by last weeks storm may still linger in lee terrain below ridgetops. A layer of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) in the upper snowpack could still be reactive to human triggers in isolated locations such as high elevation, north facing terrain.
Below treeline, snow is disappearing rapidly.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Lingering wind slabs may still be reactive to human triggers; especially on lee features below alpine ridgetops.
- Pay attention to changing conditions with elevation/aspect.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Use small slopes without consequence to test the bond of the recent snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Any appearance of the strong April sun can initiate a loose wet avalanche cycle. The likelihood of loose wet avalanches increases as temperatures warm through the day and/or if the sun comes out for a prolonged period of time.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating, travel early on exposed slopes.
- A moist/wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches all indicate a weakening snowpack.
- Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 26th, 2019 2:00PM
