Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 9th, 2012 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jfloyer, Avalanche Canada

This bulletin is based on limited amounts of information. Spring conditions mean you should anticipate a daily cycle of loose snow avalanches on south-facing slopes.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Tuesday should remain dry with cloud increasing through the day. Freezing levels should hover around 1600 m, winds are expected to be moderate southeasterly. On Wednesday, expect light precipitation with only minimal accumulation. On Thursday, moderate precipitation is expected, with amounts in the 10-15 mm range. Winds should ease to light and freezing levels should drop slightly to around 1400 m.

Avalanche Summary

The last observation from this region was a cornice release on Saturday 7th that pulled a size 1.5 slab on a northeast aspect at lower alpine elevation. Based on observations from the Northwest Coastal region, I would expect loose snow avalanches have been occurring up to size 2 on solar aspects.

Snowpack Summary

We have had very little information about the snowpack in this region for several days now. However, I suspect the warmer temperatures and generally light winds have consolidated the snowpack in many areas. Anticipate extensive crusts on solar aspects and moist snow at lower elevations. On shady aspects, I suspect you can still find pockets of dry snow, which may sit over previous old wind slabs. Wet slabs become a possibility during periods of prolonged warming, especially if there is minimal amounts of overnight freeze.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches are likely on sun exposed slopes during the day.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Large cornices exist in alpine terrain and they may pop off with warmer temperatures and intense solar radiation. A failure could be destructive by itself, and could also trigger an avalanche on the slope below.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Apr 10th, 2012 9:00AM