Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 23rd, 2018 4:19PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Loose Wet and Cornices.

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Sunshine and rising temperatures will elevate the avalanche danger throughout the week. Be aware of changing conditions throughout the day and avoid overhead hazards. This is our final daily forecast for the season which will expire on April 25th.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY: Sunny. Moderate southwest wind. Alpine temperature +5. Freezing level rapidly rising to 3200 m.WEDNESDAY: Sunny. Light northwest wind. Alpine temperature +3. Freezing level 2700 m.THURSDAY: Sunny. Light west wind. Alpine temperature +10. Freezing level soaring to 3700 m.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche reports have been limited due to very few information sources this time of year. If you have been out, please post your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are BIG and when they fail there is the potential to trigger very large avalanches on deeply buried weak layers.Below the surface there are numerous crusts in the upper 100 cm of the snowpack. A layer of sugary facets around a crust can be found near the bottom of the snowpack which has been dormant for some time. Large triggers, such as a falling cornice, or the major warm-up occurring this week could trigger this layer.

Problems

Loose Wet

Sunshine and warming temperatures will increase the loose wet avalanche activity throughout the week.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Watch for signs that the snow is heating up such as pin-wheeling or the surface snow becoming moist.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Sunshine and warming temperatures will increase the likelihood of cornice fall.

Falling cornices may trigger persistent weak layers deeper in the snowpack.Cornices become weak with daytime heating. Give them a wide berth both from above and below.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 24th, 2018 2:00PM