Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 7th, 2015 8:07AM

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

ali haeri, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Another great spring day but there are still hazards to avoid. Ridgetop wind slabs are present and were triggered by skiers yesterday. Daytime heat will increase the cornice hazard and the likelihood of triggering deeper layers.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Ridge of high pressure continues over the Province bringing mostly clear skies and light alpine winds over our region. Freezing levels are creeping up daily. Today they'll be hovering around 1700m. No precipitation is forecast until the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Overnight crust refreeze at the surface below 2300m. Multiple crusts in the top 1.0m of the snowpack. Dry snow can still be found above 2300m. The mid and lower snowpack are well settled.

Avalanche Summary

Skier triggered avalanche at the top of Forever Young couloir yesterday, size 2.0, ~40m wide, 10cm deep, 400m long, NW aspect, ~2600m. More information at avalanche.ca when you click on the blue dot in Glacier National Park

Confidence

Problems

Cornices

We are expecting more solar radiation today and higher freezing levels. These conditions will weaken the large cornices that loom on ridgetops.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

Moistening snow and signs of loose avalanches pouring off cliffs are indications that the upper snowpack is weakening, this is when you want to minimize your groups exposure on slopes in the sun.

Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Multiple weak layers in the top 1.0 m of the snowpack. These layers may become more reactive as the snowpack warms with daytime heat and weakens them. Large triggers like cornice falls may also cause avalanches to fail on these layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 8th, 2015 8:00AM