Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 1st, 2023 12:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
ahanna,
Avalanche Canada
New snow and wind are forming fresh, reactive slabs over a crust. Wind slabs may remain triggerable for several days after the snowfall.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche observations. We are expecting some natural avalanche activity during intense loading by snow squalls on Monday. We expect human-triggered wind slabs to remain possible into the beginning of the week as the new snow gradually strengthens.
Snowpack Summary
New snow falls amid strong wind over crusty surfaces at all elevations. Above 500 m, the semi-breakable crust caps a dry upper snowpack.
The remainder of the snowpack is composed of alternating layers of crusts and wind-hardened snow. Recent snowpack tests have produced results 40-60 cm deep on a layer of weak crystals sandwiched between two crusts. No avalanche activity has been observed on this layer and it is thought to be well-bridged by overlying crusts and dense snow.
Weather Summary
Saturday night
5-15 cm of new snow. Strong southeast wind. Alpine low temperature -3.
Sunday
Wet flurries accumulating around 3 cm. Moderate southwest wind. Alpine high temperature 0. Freezing level peaking briefly at 500 m late morning.
Monday
Snow squalls bring 5-20 cm of new snow. Strong westerly wind overnight switching to moderate northwesterly. Alpine high temperature -5.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with light flurries. Moderate westerly wind. Alpine high temperature -1.
The outlook for the end of the week shows a big warm up with freezing levels spiking to well over mountaintop with rain Thursday-Friday.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
- Avoid steep slopes when air temperatures are warm, it is raining, or solar radiation is strong.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and wind are forming fresh wind slabs which may be poorly bonded to underlying crusts. Shifting wind direction means wind deposits will be dynamic and found on a variety of aspects through the forecast period. Wind slabs will likely remain triggerable for a few days after the snowfall.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 4th, 2023 11:30AM
