Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 4th, 2017 3:49PM

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

shorton, Avalanche Canada

Lizard-Flathead.

We're into a daily melt-freeze cycle. Be alert to changing snow conditions as the snow warms up.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY: Increasing cloud with light snow/rain in the evening, strong southwest wind, freezing level climbing to 2000 m after an overnight refreeze.THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy with light amounts of snow/rain, moderate southwest wind, freezing level up to 2200 m with little overnight refreeze.FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with about 5 cm of wet snow later in the day, moderate southwest wind, freezing level holding at 2200 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, several natural loose wet avalanches were observed in steep south-facing terrain (size 1). Increasing cloud cover will decrease the likelihood loose wet avalanches on Wednesday, but storm slabs and cornices remain a concern at higher elevations.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack has entered a daily melt-freeze cycle. Hard crusts form overnight and become moist surface snow during the heat of the day. The exception is north-facing alpine terrain, where dry snow and isolated wind slabs may exist. The December facets and November rain crust are buried deep, but have not been reactive for a few weeks.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm slabs may still be reactive on steep convexities and on wind loaded terrain features at higher elevations where the snow is still dry.

Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Cornices are large and may fall off naturally with daytime warming.

Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 2

Valid until: Apr 5th, 2017 2:00PM