Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 21st, 2019 8:01AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet and Storm Slabs.
percy woods,
Parks Canada
Prolonged solar input today. Avoid solar aspects as the day progresses. Storm slabs have been active in the alpine over the last 48hrs.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A mix of sun and cloud today with moderate SW winds and an alpine high of 2C. The freezing level is forecast to rise to 2200m. Monday calls for periods of snow (upwards of 15cm), freezing level of 2200m and SW moderate gusting to strong winds.
Snowpack Summary
A surface crust exists this morning, but expect it to break down by midday. 35 mm of precipitation fell Thurs-Fri, falling primarily as rain up to ~1900 m and accompanied by mod to strong S'ly winds. The snowpack is isothermal BTL and thin areas at TL. Dry snow can still be found on Northerly aspects in the high alpine.
Avalanche Summary
A natural avalanche cycle with numerous size 3-3.5 avalanches occurred Friday in the east highway corridor, primarily from north aspects in the alpine. Many of these avalanches initiated as wet slabs from Friday's rain event.
Confidence
Problems
Loose Wet
The recent rain event has soaked the snowpack treeline and below. Thin surface melt-freeze crusts are capping weak isothermal snow treeline and below, and higher on solar aspects.
- Use extra caution on solar slopes, or if the snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
Upwards of 50 cm of storm snow has accumulated in the high alpine. Strong solar input today is expected to wake these surface slabs up making them more sensitive to human triggering.
- The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 22nd, 2019 8:00AM
