Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 23rd, 2016 3:00PM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

South Columbia.

You'll have to wait until Monday for clear weather as light rain is forecast for the weekend. Expect deteriorating snow stability (and ski quality).

Summary

Weather Forecast

Sunday: 5-10mm of precipitation / Light ridgetop winds / Freezing level at 2200m Monday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light ridgetop winds / Freezing level at 2000m Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light ridgetop winds / Freezing level at 2400m

Avalanche Summary

Most commercial operations have closed for the season, and data is becoming sparse. If you have any avalanche activity to report, please consider sharing through the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Monitoring the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating, rain or solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. The snowpack in many areas has become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.

Problems

Loose Wet

Forecast rain will promote ongoing loose wet avalanche activity. Areas of greatest concern are steep gullies and faces at elevations below the new snow line.

The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.>Watch for surface clues such as sluffing off of cliffs and pinwheeling. These are red flags that should prompt you to reevaluate the conditions. >

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Wet Slabs

Forecast rain will promote ongoing loose wet avalanche activity. Areas of greatest concern are steep gullies and faces at elevations below the snow line.

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches. >Avoid slopes with glide cracks. >

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 6

Cornices

Use extra caution when traveling on corniced ridges. Despite the slight cooling trend, cornices will remain sensitive to human triggering.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices. >Cornice releases have the potential to trigger deeply buried weak layers. >Stay well back from cornices. >

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Apr 24th, 2016 2:00PM