Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 14th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.
DH,
Avalanche Canada
Be conservative with slopes that have not yet avalanched, storm slabs at upper elevations remain triggerable and have shown wide propagation.
At lower elevations, loose wet avalanches are easily triggered in the heat of the day and can gain mass quickly running on a widespread crust.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, numerous solar triggered storm slab and loose wet avalanches up to size 3 were observed with wide propagation over the Mar 31 layer.
Natural activity has reduced since, however, several natural avalanches were observed both in the hwy corridor and in the backcountry Wednesday and Thursday. With big daily temperature changes the hazard is highest in the warmth of late afternoon.
Snowpack Summary
35cm of recent snow formed a reactive storm slab, thicker in lee features. This slab is propagating and stepping down to the March 31 layer (crust on solar aspects, facet/surface hoar on polar aspects).
The mid and lower snowpack is generally strong. However, the Nov 17 basal weakness can still be found near the ground in many locations.
Weather Summary
Calm weather continues until late Sunday when a low pressure arrives with light snowfall and moderate winds.
Sat: Cloudy w/ sunny periods, no precipitation, high -3°C. FZL 1900m, moderate S winds.
Sun: Cloudy with snow 17cm, low -5 °C, FZL 2100m, moderate S winds.
Mon: Cloudy with flurries 12cm, low -8 °C, FZL 1600m, light gusting strong SW winds.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Recent storm slabs have been slow to bond to the previous surfaces of suncrust, surface hoar and/or facets. These slabs remain reactive, and have shown wide propagation. Be extra cautious in terrain without previous avalanche activity.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Watch for the recent snow to become triggerable below tree line as the day warms up. Small sluffs can gain surprising mass as they slide on a widespread crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 15th, 2023 4:00PM
