Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 27th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
BF,
Avalanche Canada
For the most part travel continues to be good. Start early, finish early.
There is potential for a weak freeze overnight Saturday as well as a temperature inversion.
Watch for areas where loose wet snow can slide on a crust especially in steep areas, and/or areas where the crust(s) have completely broken down and the snow is isothermal
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Numerous loose wet avalanches up to size 1.5 from the past 48 were reported on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
10-20cm of settling snow since Thursday covers crusts on all aspects except for north-facing slopes above ~2500m. Moist and weak snow at low and treeline elevations following a weak refreeze Friday night.
The mid-pack Feb 3 persistent layer (crust/facet layer) and basal depth hoar remain the most prominent features in the snowpack but have been dormant since the last temperature spike. These layers are a greater concern in thin snowpack areas on north slopes above 2300m.
Weather Summary
Saturday night: Cloudy with scattered flurries. Accumulation: 5 cm. Alpine temps: Low -4 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. Weak temperature inversion.
Sunday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precip: Trace. Alpine temp: High -1 °C. Ridge wind west: 15 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. Freezing level: 2200 metres.
Monday: Cooler temperatures.
For more detailed weather click here.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
- Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Light snowfall will continue into Sunday combined with W-SW winds. Look for thin new slabs over sun crusts and potentially thicker slabs on north slopes. Winds may intensify into Sunday.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
With a potential for a weak freeze overnight Saturday the potential for moist and wet snow to linger along with isothermal snow to develop that might result in wet loose avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 28th, 2024 4:00PM
