Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 27th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada BF, Avalanche Canada

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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

An icon showing 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

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Loose Wet

An icon showing 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

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 28th, 2024 4:00PM