Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 10th, 2017 3:50PM

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

mgrist, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Cornices remain the primary concern. Solar radiation is a common cornice trigger. Limit your exposure when it's cloudy and completely avoid cornices when it's sunny.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Unsettled weather and cool temperatures continue throughout the forecast period.TUESDAY: Cloudy, sunny breaks and scattered flurries (5-10cm possible). Light southeast ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1400 m.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries (0-5cm). Strong easterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1500 m.THURSDAY: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries (2-5cm). Moderate easterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1400 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new reported.

Snowpack Summary

Small amounts of new snow (3-5cm) fell in the past three days. Winds were light to moderate (south through northeast) and may have created small wind slabs on lee features below alpine ridgetops. The new snow will likely be sitting on hard surfaces created by strong winds last week.Elevations below roughly 1300 m are experiencing a daily melt-freeze cycle and the snowpack is likely isothermal. The February crust and facet layer is 70-90 cm deep in the Houston Telkwas sled area and a deep persistent faceted weak layer is still lingering near the bottom of the snowpack in all areas.

Problems

Cornices

Solar radiation is a common cornice trigger. Limit your exposure when it's cloudy and completely avoid cornices when it's sunny.

Minimize exposure to overhead hazard from cornices.Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

Small amounts of new snow over old firm layers may produce small loose wet avalanches if the sun comes out in full force.

Minimize exposure to steep slopes on warm or sunny days.Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 11th, 2017 2:00PM