Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 15th, 2019 4:17PM

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

mconlan, Avalanche Canada

Purcells.

Isolated wind slabs may still be found up high. Continue to assess the surface snow and expect loose wet activity under sunny skies.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, light southwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level 1500 m.TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, light to moderate west wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1800 m.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, light to moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 2000 m.THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, light southwest wind, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level 2400 m.

Avalanche Summary

A few small to large (size 1 to 2) storm slab avalanches were reported on Sunday. They were in alpine terrain, around 30 cm deep, and on north to west aspects. Otherwise, the recent loose storm snow was reactive to skier traffic on steep, southerly aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 cm of recent snow has remained dry in northerly alpine terrain and may overly isolated pockets of weak surface hoar crystals. All other aspects and elevation bands will have either wet surface snow or a melt-freeze crust due to an increasing freezing level and heat from the sun. Weak and sugary faceted grains remain at the bottom of the snowpack in the alpine. This layer creates a low likelihood but high consequence scenario. Steep, rocky areas with a shallow snowpack are the most likely places to trigger this layer.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent snow has been redistributed by southwest wind in exposed alpine areas. The most suspect slopes are terrain features immediately adjacent to ridges.

Use small slopes without consequence to test the bond of the recent snow.Expect conditions to change rapidly with aspect and elevation.Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Loose Wet

The snow surface will weaken rapidly when clear skies prevail and the day heats up. The heat will quickly increasing the likelihood of triggering loose wet avalanches, particularly on sun-exposed slopes.

Avoid sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if the snow is moist or wet.Avoid terrain traps such as cliffs and gullies that increase the consequence of small avalanches.Cornices become weak with daytime warming; travel early before the day heats up.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 16th, 2019 2:00PM