Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 14th, 2021 8:18AM

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

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Avalanche control along the Trans Canada Highway is likely in the coming days with warm temperatures, solar radiation, and no overnight cooling. Please continue to monitor the Winter Permit System for closures.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A "Rex-Blocker" ridge of high pressure is anchored over Rogers Pass, bringing with it clear skies, light wind, and warm temperatures. Expect these conditions to amplify over the next few days, and continue until Sunday evening with today being the first day in the forecast period where we have inverted temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

Spring melt-freeze conditions exist at lower elevations, and higher on solar aspects. Polar aspects are still holding dry snow in the alpine and at treeline. The April 7th layer is down ~20-40cm depending on aspect and elevation, and the March 18th crust is down ~60-1m. The mid and lower snowpack is very strong and dense.

Avalanche Summary

A skier accidental size 2 occurred in the Forever Young couloir on Monday, see the MIN report here. On Sunday a large cornice was accidentally triggered by a skier on the Young's Pk approach; East aspect, cornice triggered slab. Yesterday several loose wet avalanches were observed in very steep terrain features, on solar aspects.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Inverted temperatures and strong solar radiation today will likely initiate a wet loose cycle in steep, rocky, south facing terrain. Starting and finishing your day early will set you up for success, evading the most hazardous part of the day.

  • Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.
  • Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Natural and skier triggered cornices continue to fail. This is fairly typical for this time of year, with the current weather and snowpack conditions. Avoid exposure to cornices while approaching ridge tops, and ascending or descending below them.

  • Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

30cm of recent snow has settled and drifted into a slab in isolated terrain features. The slab has had a few days to settle, but expect there to still be pockets reactive to human triggering in isolated locations near ridge crests.

  • Watch for shooting cracks or stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.
  • Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 15th, 2021 8:00AM