Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 24th, 2018–Apr 25th, 2018

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold

Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold

Below Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Alpine

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold

Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold

Below Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Regions: Glacier.

Weather Forecast

A temperature inversion overnight has left alpine temps above zero, whereas valley bottom went below zero and got a decent refreeze. Today will be sunny with an alpine high of +5 as the freezing level rises to 3000m. Winds will be 20-35km/hr from the Southwest. Friday will see freezing levels rise to 3700m and will not drop until Sunday night

Snowpack Summary

Melt freeze crust on all aspects up to ~2200m and higher on solar aspects. Expect these crusts to break down quickly with warming. Wind slabs in the alpine still persist from this past weekends snow and moderate Southerly winds. Cornices are large and will weaken with the rising temperatures. Dry snow exists on Northerly aspects at high elevations.

Avalanche Summary

Mounds avalanche path released naturally overnight on the April 22 and ran size 3.5, stopping 150m short of the highway. Several other natural loose wet avalanches up to size 3.0 released yesterday.Cheops North 1 ran size 2.5 on Sunday and it's possible that this slide was human triggered as skiers were in the area. Start early, finish early!!!

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Loose wet avalanches can be expected off of solar aspects as daytime warming and direct sunshine destabilize surface layers. These avalanches may dig deeper as underlying snow is moist.

Plan to finish your tour early.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Cornices

Cornices are large and ripe. They will become more prone to failure with daytime warming and solar input.

Avoid travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Thin wind slab can be expected on northerly aspects in the alpine.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5