Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 10th, 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 lbaker, Avalanche Canada

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Isolated wind slabs exist on exposed north and east facing slopes in the alpine. Evaluate wind-affected terrain carefully as human-triggered wind slab avalanches are possible.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, a size 1 skier accidental storm slab was reported in the McBride area.

We expect users who head into the backcountry on Thursday will find evidence of a small, natural loose wet avalanche cycle from solar input on southerly aspects.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 30 cm of storm snow covers the surface at higher elevations. As winds pick up, the new snow will be redistributed by primarily southwest wind into lee terrain features at alpine and treeline. The new snow sits above a crust or moist snow except on high northerly aspects above 2000 m where snow remained dry.

The lower snowpack is settled and well bonded.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy. Ridgetop wind south 15 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 1 to 6 cm of snow at upper elevations. Ridgetop wind southwest 10 to 25 km/h. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud with 1 to 3 cm of snow at upper elevations. Ridgetop wind southwest 10 to 25 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud with 1 to 4 cm of snow at upper elevations. Ridgetop wind southwest 15 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Where winds have redistributed new snow into lee terrain features watch for slab development. Be especially cautious of north and east facing alpine terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 11th, 2024 4:00PM

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