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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 10th, 2018–Apr 11th, 2018
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Jasper.

Good skiing can be found close to treeline on sheltered north facing terrain.

Weather Forecast

A strong westerly flow to the upper atmosphere will accompany the passage a of weak front  tonight with a dusting of snow. Overnight temps will remain cool and winds will decrease. A mix of sun and cloud adding heat to the snowpack at lower elevations and solar aspects with the freezing levels not expected to breach 1,700m on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

In the upper snowpack a 25 to 80 cm thick slab bridges the March 15th persistent weak layer (facets on polar, sun crust on solar). Recent warming has promoted rounding in the upper snowpack, however the mid and lower snowpack remain weak and facetted from this winters prolonged cold periods. Temperature crusts exist on most slopes below treeline.

Avalanche Summary

We received a report of large slab avalanche on Monday in the North bowl of Whistler peak. It was remotely triggered from the ridgetop and failed as a size 2.5 persistent slab (suspect Mar 15th interface), 60cm deep by 75m wide, which ran down to treeline. Some size 1 moist surface sluffing was noted on steep solar aspects on Sunday.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent slabs sitting on facets on Northerly aspects continue to show isolated signs of reactivity. On solar aspects buried solar crusts present a sliding surface up to 80cm down. Triggering may occur from shallow snowpack areas some distance out.
Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Loose Wet

The snowpack is rapidly heating up and in shallow spots requires very little in the way of rain, sun or ambient heat to complete the process. Snow pillows falling onto snow of this character will trigger avalanches. Solar radiation is a trigger.
Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

Wind Slabs

Moderate southerly winds in the alpine continue to build fresh pockets of wind slab. Once started these slabs may trigger deeper releases running surprisingly far into the valley under these cooler conditions.
Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5