Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 23rd, 2017 3:40PM

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

cgarritty, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Warm temperatures and solar exposure will promote reactivity in a range of avalanche problems on Monday.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated rain showers. Light south winds. Freezing level to 1800 metres with alpine temperatures around -1.Tuesday: Cloudy with scattered wet flurries and up to 5 cm of new snow in the alpine. Moderate south winds. Freezing level to 1500 metres with alpine temperatures of -3.Wednesday: Cloudy with scattered wet flurries and a trace to 5 cm of new snow in the alpine. Light west winds. Freezing level to 1400 metres with alpine temperatures of -4.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported, but there have been limited observations lately.Please enter your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN). See here for details.

Snowpack Summary

Rainfall saturated the upper snowpack over Saturday night at most elevations. In high alpine locations, new snow likely formed new storm slabs and wind slabs which may remain reactive over the short term. Any new snow accumulations at higher elevations will sit above either a moist snow surface or a refrozen crust. Slab reactivity will be greater and may persist longer where a crust interface exists. The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and strong.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent snowfall formed storm slabs and wind slabs in the alpine, especially in the lee of exposed terrain features. These new slabs may remain reactive to human triggering on Monday, and reactivity is likely to increase with warming and sun exposure.

Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.Be especially careful with wind loaded pockets near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Daytime warming and solar exposure will promote loose wet avalanches from steep slopes on Monday. This problem will be greater at higher elevations where new snow recently accumulated.

Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Where cornices exist, they have become unstable should be avoided. Daytime warming and solar exposure will promote cornice reactivity on Monday.

Stay well to the windward side of corniced ridges.Avoid traveling on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 24th, 2017 2:00PM