Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 9th, 2016 3:00PM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Loose Wet and Cornices.

Avalanche Canada istorm, Avalanche Canada

Spring conditions typically means hazards are greatest during the heat of the afternoon. Start early, finish early.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Sunday is expected to be another sunny day (lots of solar radiation) with afternoon temperatures even warmer than Saturday. Light wind. No new precipitation. Monday and Tuesday look cloudy and cooler as a weak disturbance approaches the coast. Only trace amounts of precipitation are expected Monday with 5 to 10 mm of rain or snow on Tuesday. Freezing level both days around 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

With the arrival of spring, field observations and data are very limited in the region. No new avalanche reports does not mean avalanches are not occurring. One should expect cornices to continue to fail, at times triggering avalanches on the slopes below. Similarly, one must expect solar radiation and warm temperatures to weaken the snowpack, triggering loose wet and wet slab avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Moist or wet snow exists on all aspects at all elevations. Any surface crusts that form overnight will quickly break down during the day. The snowpack's strength is directly related to the thickness and strength of these crusts. Where there are layers in the snowpack, they are generally bonding. A widespread crust/facet layer from early February and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack (primarily in northerly & inland areas) are dormant. Strong, thick crusts in the upper parts of the snowpack have limited the reactivity of these old layers; however, they could potentially once again produce isolated yet large avalanches with prolonged periods of warming.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
Loose wet sluffing is likely on sun exposed slopes with sunshine or warm afternoon temperatures. Increased warmth may increase the size and length; wet slabs are also possible.
Be cautious of wet sluffing in steep terrain. >Avoid steep sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet. >

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Large cornices weaken with warming and sun. The timing of failures is unpredictable. Dropping chunks are a hazard in themselves and they may also trigger a slab avalanche on the slopes below. Watch and limit your exposure to overhead hazards.
Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes. >Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges. >

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Apr 10th, 2016 2:00PM