Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 15th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

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A cold front will create heightened avalanche conditions on steep wind-loaded slopes.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Warm sunny weather over the weekend caused small wet loose avalanches in the southern Rockies (size 1 to 1.5).

Looking forward, new snow may form slabs on wind-loaded slopes.

Snowpack Summary

A cold front crossing the region will bring 5 to 15 cm of new snow by Tuesday afternoon and more into the evening. This snow will bury crusts and wet snow that formed over the weekend.

The upper snowpack consists of various melt-freeze layers. The lower snowpack contains old weak layers that are no longer a concern.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Increasing cloud. 45 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. Greatest accumulations on the Alberta side of the Rockies. 35 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud with 1 to 2 cm of snow. 10 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for avalanche hazard to increase throughout the day.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New snow will likely form reactive wind slabs in the alpine and along ridges.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 16th, 2024 4:00PM

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