Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Cooling temps and minimal solar input will reduce the avalanche hazard for the next couple of days.
Fresh bear tracks have been spotted on several popular touring routes; make your presence know when traveling in the forest, and pack your bear spray.
Weather Forecast
The edge of a weak cold front from the NE will give isolated flurries and cooling temps. A stronger, wetter system rolls in from the SW Sat/Sun.
Today: Mix of sun and cloud. Freezing level (FZL) 1600m. Ridge winds light NE.
Tonight: Clear periods. Alpine high -6 C.
Fri: Sunny periods. FZL 1700m. Light SW wind.
Sat/Sun: Snow (15-20cm). FZL 1800m.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack has undergone numerous melt-freeze cycles on all but high (>2400m) N aspects, where one can find loose, dry snow. Daily fluctuation in the upper snowpack will be reduced over the next couple of days with cool temps and some cloud cover in the forecast. Several crusts exist in the upper snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
A couple of wet slab avalanches were observed from S aspects in the highway corridor yesterday.
Also, a large (size 3) glide slab released from an E aspect in Cougar creek yesterday.
A natural size 3 slab was triggered by a cornice failure at the top of the Ross Pk path Tuesday.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
If/when it comes out, the strong April sun will soften the surface crust formed overnight, elevating the hazard in solar exposed terrain. Check out this link for more info on spring conditions.
- Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
If the sun is beating down on ridgetops, avoid exposure to cornices, even on polar aspects.
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3