Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 14th, 2016 8:20AM

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.

triley, Avalanche Canada

Purcells.

Spring Conditions. Looks like a typical spring day with a mix of conditions. The sun can be very strong at this time of year; conditions may change rapidly if the sun comes out.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Mostly cloudy overnight with moderate southwest winds, light precipitation, and freezing levels down to 1000 metres. Mix of sun and cloud on Friday with scattered convective flurries and daytime freezing levels at 2000 metres. A strong ridge develops on Saturday bringing clear skies, light southerly winds and freezing levels up to at least 2200 metres. The ridge gets stronger on Sunday, temperatures and freezing levels sky-rocket to at least 3000 metres.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. Forecast new snow and wind are expected to develop new windslabs in the alpine and at treeline. Higher elevations may feel more like winter for another day, and new wind slabs may not bond well to the old hard re-frozen surface.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose wet avalanche activity is expected to increase with exposure to strong solar radiation and climbing freezing levels.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

If the sun comes out, it wont take long for solar aspects to heat up and result in natural cornice falls.

Avoid steep slopes below cornices.>Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Apr 15th, 2016 2:00PM