Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 22nd, 2017 3:44PM

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

Avalanche Canada cgarritty, Avalanche Canada

The storm impacting the South Coast won't bring significant precipitation inland. Cornice hazards remain the primary concern in the region.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Sunday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Light southwest winds. Freezing level to 1700 metres with alpine temperatures of -3.Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light northeast winds. Freezing level to 1900 metres with alpine temperatures around -1.Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated wet flurries with a trace of new snow. Light to moderate southwest winds. Freezing level to 1900 metres with alpine temperatures around -1.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the region. Please post your observations to the Mountain Information Network.On Wednesday we had reports of several loose wet avalanches to Size 2 running on north aspects in the alpine in the Duffey Lake area. The new snow was especially reactive to ski cutting on solar (south) aspects, running easily on the Easter crust.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures and sunshine recently moistened surface snow on most aspects and elevations. Gradually cooling temperatures will promote the formation of a surface crust down to about 1500 metres by Sunday morning. Below the surface, stormy weather over the beginning of the week brought about 20-30 cm of new snow to the region, with this precipitation falling as rain below about 1500m. Southerly winds over the same time period formed fragile new cornice growth. The snowpack is generally well settled and strong, but basal weaknesses in the far north of the region remain a concern. With that said, the possible triggers for deep weaknesses in this part of the region are likely limited to large cornice falls.

Problems

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Where cornices exist, they have become unstable should be avoided. The likelihood of cornice falls will increase with daytime warming and solar exposure.
Be aware that cornice releases have potential to trigger deep slabs.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, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 23rd, 2017 2:00PM

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