Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 15th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs, Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada CJ, Avalanche Canada

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Freezing levels will rise on Sunday, with 5-10 cm of new snow and strong SW winds expected Sunday night and into Monday. Hazard will increase later on Sunday and into Monday as the storm arrives with increased potential for triggering the deep persistent weak layers.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

The recent avalanche cycle produced large natural avalanches in most of the forecast area, with lots of failures on storm snow interfaces and many step downs to the various deeper persistent weak layers in the snowpack. Natural avalanche activity has slowed in the last two days but we are still able to trigger large avalanches with explosives.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow has settled to 20-30 cm above 2300 m. The storm snow sits over buried sun crusts that are present to ridge crests, and faceted layers on shady aspects. Multiple buried crusts are present in the top 50-70 cm on solar aspects. The basal depth hoar is present at the bottom of the snowpack and remains facetted and weak. Low elevations have a temperature crust on all aspects.

Weather Summary

On Sunday, winds will gradually increase into the moderate to strong range out of the SW. Freezing levels will start to rise, reaching 2100-2300 m late in the day. Precip will start in the late afternoon with 5-10 cm expected overnight and into Monday and rain is possible at valley bottom elevations.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • If triggered, storm slabs in-motion may step down to deeper layers and result in very large avalanches.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

The basal facets, as well as mid-pack facets and crusts, remain a significant concern. Many large avalanches in the recent cycle initiated on or stepped down to these layers, demonstrating that the problem remains widespread and possible to trigger.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

20-30 of storm snow has formed slabs over previous crusts and facets. While the storm snow has started to bond, it may still be possible to trigger a slab at this interface in steep terrain especially with increasing temperatures or solar heating.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Freezing levels will rise on Sunday, and while solar inputs may be limited, there is still potential for small wet loose avalanches, especially if we get rain at lower elevations later in the day.

Aspects: South East, South, South West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 16th, 2023 4:00PM