Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 15th, 2019 8:08AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.

ross campbell, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Winter is back at higher elevations; touchy storm slabs are easily triggered in the Alpine and upper Treeline.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Classic spring weather continues today with a cool and unstable airmass over RP giving isolated to scattered flurries in the alpine. Freezing level should rise to 1800m this afternoon with an alpine high of -4C along with light westerly winds. A mix of sun and cloud for Tuesday, clearing into the evening, and clouds building back in on Wed.

Snowpack Summary

30cm+ of storm snow in the last 48 hours with mod SW-S winds has formed storm slabs in the alpine and exposed areas of treeline. Storm slabs are overlying melt-freeze crust on all asp, and elev, except Nth alpine. Poor crust recovery BTL with the new snow insulating the melt freeze crust, which covers isothermal snow.

Avalanche Summary

A skier remote size 2 was triggered yesterday on Video Peak. There were six skiers in the vicinity, three involved, no gear lost, no burials, and no injuries. The party that triggered the avalanche had deviated from the regular ascent route to Video Pk. Another group was in the Balu Pass area, and was easily able to trigger storm slabs to size 1.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Storm Slabs

30cm + of storm snow along with moderate to strong S-SW winds, formed storm slabs in the alpine and exposed areas of treeline. These slabs were easily triggered by skiers yesterday, initiating from 50m away.

Watch for fresh storm slabs on exposed lee slopes at and above treeline.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Loose Wet

New snow, warm temperatures, and potential solar input shall increase the likelihood of loose wet avalanches today. Steep solar asp will be the primary concern; however, all steep aspects below treeline should be suspect, and not to be trusted.

Daytime warming will weaken surface layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 16th, 2019 8:00AM