Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 4th, 2019 3:59PM

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

Avalanche Canada kdevine, Avalanche Canada

Email

North Columbia.

Expect to find pockets of wind slab at upper elevations, which may be reactive to human triggers. Keep an eye out for changing conditions as prolonged sunny periods will increase the likelihood of loose wet avalanches on sun-exposed slopes.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy / southeast winds, 10-25 km/h / alpine low temperature near -2FRIDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, 5 cm / southeast winds, 10-25 km/h / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 2000 mSATURDAY -  Cloudy with isolated flurries / southwest winds, 10-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 1700 mSUNDAY -  Cloudy with flurries, 5-10 cm / southwest winds, 30-50 km/h / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 1800 m

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, there were two reports of glide slab avalanches, size 1 and 2.5. These occurred on southeast aspects between 2200-2400 m. Both released on rock slabs.On Monday, a small (size 1) wind slab was triggered by a skier on a north aspect in alpine terrain. The slab was 20 cm deep and about 10 m wide.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of new snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on 10 to 30 cm of dry snow, surface hoar (feathery crystals) and isolated wind slabs. Below approximately 1800 m, the recent precipitation likely fell as rain.North facing slopes above 2000 m may also have a layer of sugary faceted snow buried 50 to 70 cm.Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Slab avalanches remain possible at alpine elevations, particularly on steep terrain close to ridges.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, or cracking.

Aspects: North, North East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 5th, 2019 2:00PM

Login
Join