Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 25th, 2014 8:34AM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Peter, Avalanche Canada

We are no longer issuing danger ratings for this region due to a lack of field data.Please refer to this blog post for more insight into managing the current conditions.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: The weather pattern should remain cool and unsettled through the weekend. Expect periods of light to moderate precipitation mixed with sunny breaks most days. The greatest amount of precipitation should be on Saturday (10-20 mm or cm). Freezing levels should climb to 1600-1800 m each day and rebound to around 1300-1500 m overnight. Ridgetop winds are generally light to moderate from the southwest. It looks like a building ridge of high pressure could bring drier and much warmer conditions early next week.

Avalanche Summary

There are very few observers in the field; however, one observer from the northern part of the region reported several easily triggered wind slabs from steep lee terrain on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

This is a broad general summary of conditions in the region based solely on recent weather data and previous snowpack information. It should be supplemented with local observations to help assess avalanche danger. Please refer to this document for additional snow and avalanche information and general travel advice. Over the past week we have seen moderate amounts of moist or wet new snow mixed with showers or periods of rain below 1600-1800 m. Westerly winds have likely formed pockets of wind slab at higher elevations in lee of ridges and terrain features. The late January/early February persistent weak layer is deeply buried but could still wake up during periods of heavy precipitation (especially rain) or significant warming and solar radiation. Be particularly wary of this on large open alpine slopes. Cornices are large in some areas and should be given a wide berth.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Fresh dense wind slabs may form in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. Triggering is more likely on steep unsupported slopes near ridge crests. 
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
This problem remains unlikely but should stay on your radar, especially as we transition into  much warmer spring weather next week.
Use caution on big alpine slopes, especially around thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilities.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried persistent weak layers.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Apr 26th, 2014 2:00PM