Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 18th, 2019 4:07PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.
jsmith,
Avalanche Canada
Additional snow, wind, and warm temperatures on Thursday night may form touchy storm slabs reactive to human triggers at treeline and above.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY NIGHT: Rain (snow above roughly 1800 m.); 10-20 mm / Moderate, southwesterly winds / Alpine low -1 C / Freezing level 2000 m.
FRIDAY: Rain (snow above roughly 1500 m.); 5-10 mm / Light, westerly winds / Alpine high -2 C / Freezing level 1700 m.
SATURDAY: Sunny / Light, northwesterly winds / Alpine high 0 C / Freezing level 1800 m.
SUNDAY: Sunny / Light, northwesterly winds / Alpine high 4 C / Freezing level 2200 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Wednesday. However, avalanche activity is expected to increase on Friday with the forecast rain/snow and moderate winds.
On Tuesday, numerous naturally triggered size 2 persistent slab avalanches were reported on all aspects in the alpine.
On Monday, numerous natural persistent slab avalanches to size 2.5 were reported on all aspects above 2000 m and were estimated to be around 70 cm. deep.
Snowpack Summary
New snow/rain on Thursday is adding to the 15-40 cm recent snow which overlies a crust everywhere except high elevation, north facing terrain where preserved surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) may be present in isolated locations. A similar layer buried in early April is down 40-70 cm. Smaller storm slab avalanches may step down to one of these deeper weak layers.
Below treeline, snow is disappearing rapidly.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Additional snow, wind, and warm temperatures on Thursday night may form touchy storm slabs reactive to human triggers at treeline and above.
- Use small slopes without consequence to test the bond of the recent snow.
- Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from rain/snow and wind.
- Pay attention to changing conditions with elevation/aspect.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Potential rain on snow below treeline may initiate small loose wet avalanches on Thursday.
- Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
- A moist/wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches all indicate a weakening snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 19th, 2019 2:00PM
