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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 4th, 2017–Apr 5th, 2017
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

Danger levels will increase with prolonged solar input through the day. Pay attention and avoid exposure to large cornices overhead.

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud today with no precipitation forecast.  Freezing level of 1600m and an alpine high of -5C.  More unstable weather is forecast to invade for the rest of the work week with rising freezing levels and upwards of 20cm of snow by Friday evening.

Snowpack Summary

Upwards of 30cm of storm snow in the alpine over the weekend. SW winds in the moderate range have moved the storm snow onto alpine lee features forming soft slabs. Cornice failures pack a big enough punch to trigger deeper weak layers in the upper snowpack. Test pits producing easy to hard resistant planar results in the top 60cm of snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

One new size 2.5 slide observed off Mt MacDonald's north face yesterday. Also a report of a remote trigger of cornice off the Jupiter traverse that triggered a size 2 down to rock on the east face of Castor. The slide ran down to the glacier bench below. Several skier accidental slides and skier cut slides to size 2 from Sunday observed up Balu.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Last weekend's storm snow has been redistributed into widespread soft windslab in the alpine down to treeline. These slabs need time to bond to the old snow surface. They may prove more reactive with prolonged solar input.
Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Cornices

Large cornices hanging along lee ridge lines are fragile and pack a major punch if they fail onto the slopes below. Cornices have potential to trigger deeper weak layers and cause very large avalanches. Solar input will increase chance of failure.
Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3