Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 8th, 2017 3:47PM

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

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Cornices remain the primary concern. Solar radiation is a common cornice trigger. Limit your exposure when it's cloudy and completely avoid cornices when it's sunny.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud isolated flurries. Light southerly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1500 m.MONDAY: Mostly sunny. Light easterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1600 m.TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Light southeasterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1600 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Friday in this region.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of new snow on Saturday with light southerly winds may have created small wind slabs on lee features below alpine ridgetops. The new snow will likely be sitting on hard surfaces created by strong winds earlier in the week. Elevations below roughly 1300 m are experiencing a daily melt-freeze cycle and the snowpack is likely isothermal. The February crust and facet layer is 70-90 cm deep in the Houston Telkwas sled area and a deep persistent faceted weak layer is still lingering near the bottom of the snowpack in all areas.

Problems

Cornices

Solar radiation is a common cornice trigger. Limit your exposure when it's cloudy and completely avoid cornices when it's sunny.

Minimize exposure to overhead hazard from cornices.Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

New snow and wind on Saturday may create small wind slabs in lee features below alpine ridgetops.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Approach steep lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 9th, 2017 2:00PM