Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 13th, 2019 4:27PM

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

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

South Coast Inland.

Forecast snow and wind Saturday night is expected to create small wind slabs reactive to human triggers; especially in lee features below ridgetops.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with flurries; 3-10 cm. / Moderate to strong, southwesterly winds / Alpine low -8 C / Freezing level 900 m.SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries; 2-5 cm. / Light, westerly winds / Alpine high -2 C / Freezing level 1400 m.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, westerly winds / Alpine high 0 C / Freezing level 1600 m.TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, westerly winds / Alpine high 2 C / Freezing level 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous small (size 1) skier triggered loose wet avalanches were reported in the Duffey Lake area on Friday. Small wind slabs are expected to be the primary concern on Sunday with the forecast snow and wind.

Snowpack Summary

Currently, the snowpack structure changes dramatically with elevation and aspect. 10-20 cm. of recent storm snow (amounts tapering with elevation) is sitting on a melt/freeze crust, except for north facing terrain above 2000 m. where the old snow surface remained dry and small surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) may be present in isolated locations. This recent snow has been affected by the sun and re-distributed by southerly winds, forming wind slabs on lee features below ridgetops.Below roughly 1900 m, the snowpack is moist and is melting rapidly at lower elevations. Check out this useful link for managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions HERE.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Light amounts of new snow and moderate southwesterly winds may form fresh small wind slabs reactive to human triggers. Use caution around lee terrain features and steep, convex slopes.

Use small slopes without consequence to test the bond of the new snow.Pay attention to changing conditions with elevation/aspect.Avoid wind loaded slopes below ridgetops.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 14th, 2019 2:00PM