Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 5th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet and Wind Slabs.
llarson,
Avalanche Canada
Recent new snow and northwest winds have developed isolated wind slabs at treeline and above. As you transition into open terrain, look for signs of instability, like shooting cracks.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Several small explosive-triggered wind slabs and size 1 to 1.5 wet loose from steep solars.
On Thursday, a few size 1 skier-triggered wind slab avalanches were reported in the Golden area.
Even short windows of sun coupled with rising freezing levels may initiate wet, loose avalanches on steep solar-facing slopes.
Snowpack Summary
Isolated flurries have accumulated 20 to 25 cm of new snow that remains dry on non-solar slopes, and is settling and could become moist on steep south facing. This new snow overlies a crust on all aspects and elevations that are more robust on solar-facing slopes.
A widespread crust with facets above is down 60 to 110 cm. This layer is unlikely to human trigger in areas where a thick crust above the weak layer is present.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with isolated flurries, 1 to 2 cm. 5 to 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3° C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Saturday
Partly cloudy with isolated flurries, 2 to 4 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2° C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Sunday
Partly cloudy. 10 to 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1° C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Monday
Partly cloudy with trace accumulations, 10 to 15 km/h southwest winds. Treeline temperatures -2° C. Freezing levels 2000 m.
Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for additional weather information.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
Problems
Loose Wet
Even small windows of sun may be enough to trigger small wet loose avalanches.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Northeast winds may redistribute recent new snow into wind slabs at treeline and above. These wind slabs are most likely to be found directly lee of high points and ridge features.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 6th, 2024 4:00PM
