Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 12th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada RJ, Avalanche Canada

Email

It's still winter up high; expect to find wind slabs on lee features in the alpine.

Sunny periods are expected on Saturday. At this time of year when the sun is more intense, it doesn't take much to heat up southerly slopes. Keep an eye out for changing conditions throughout the day.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observations.

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm of recent snow has been redistributed by South to SW winds in the Alpine. It is still very much winter conditions above 2800m. Solar slopes and all aspects at tree line and below have a plethora of crusts in the upper snow pack. The Feb 3 PWL is down 40-100cm and remains a concern on shaded aspects above 2400m. The basal depth hoar/facets are gaining strength in deeper snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada

Saturday

Cloudy with sunny periods. Ridge wind west: 15 km/h gusting to 40 km/h. Freezing level: 2200m.

Sunday

Cloudy with sunny periods. Ridge wind southwest: 10-25 km/h. Freezing level: 2400m.

Monday

Flurries bringing 6 cm of snow. Ridge wind northwest: 10-30 km/h. Freezing level: 2000m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Ongoing moderate to strong winds have formed wind slabs on previous hard surfaces (sun crusts and old wind slabs). These have not bonded yet to the old surfaces.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

This problem seems to be most active where the March 19th crust is not supportive over the Feb 3rd weak layer (down 30-90cm) of facets over a crust. This problem remains a concern on shaded aspects above 2400m.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Apr 13th, 2024 4:00PM