Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 15th, 2019 4:22PM

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

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Winter is coming... back and new snow has likely improved riding quality, especially in the alpine. But new snow and wind are likely forming fresh slabs, so you need to carefully check out the bond of the new snow before committing to your line.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

A fairly juicy pattern is setting up that should deliver modest snowfall and strong wind to the Inland regionÂ beginning Tuesday morning carrying on through at least Friday. These systems are pretty convective which makes it difficult to pin down accurate snowfall amounts, but it looks like winter is coming, back, at least to the alpine over the next few days.MONDAY NIGHT: Freezing level around 500 m, light to moderate southwest wind, trace of snow possible.TUESDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level around 1200 m, moderate to strong southwest wind, 1 to 5 cm of snow possible, with another 1 to 5 cm possible Tuesday evening.WEDNESDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level around 1300 m, moderate to strong southwest wind, 1 to 5 cm of snow possible during the day with 1 to 5 cm possible Wednesday night.THURSDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level around 1500 m, strong southwest wind, 1 to 5 cm of snow possible.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday natural wind slabs to size 1.5 were observed on northeast facing slopes between 1400 and 1800 m. A natural cornice failure produced a size 2.5 wind slab when it impacted the underlying slope.On Saturday loose wet sluffing from gulley walls was reported below treeline. Avalanches were also heard, but not seen running from big unskiable terrain.If you're out we'd love it if you would submit what you're seeing to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

The region received 5 to 10 cm of snow Saturday into Saturday night. There is now about 10 cm of dry snow on high elevation north facing slopes and a thick melt freeze crust on all other aspects. As we enter into mid-April we're dealing with a classic warm snowpack. At and below treeline the snowpack is becoming isothermal. We're tracking the April 4th crust which is down 15 to 30 cm below the surface on high elevation north facing slopes. Surface hoar and facets have been observed on this crust and it continues to produce sudden planar results in snowpack tests. We have not heard of any activity on this interface recently, but this week's cycle of storms have potential to activate it.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for fresh slab development, especially in terrain near ridgecrest. High elevation north facing terrain may be harboring old wind slabs and new snow is unlikely to bond well to the underlying crust on high elevation south and west facing slopes.

Recent new snow may be hiding wind slabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Even small doses of the strong April sun could initiate a loose wet avalanche cycle. The likelihood of loose avalanches increases as temperatures warm through the day and/or if the sun comes out for a prolonged period of time.

Avoid exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.A moist/wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches all indicate a weakening snowpack.Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 16th, 2019 2:00PM