Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 9th, 2014 8:08AM

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

jon schleiss, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cloudy with sunny periods and freeze lines rising up to 1700m. Light to locally moderate precipitation rates are forecast for this region, and may come as rain or snow. Cool unsettled weather is forecast for the next few days.

Snowpack Summary

An overnight freeze has left the surface snow crusty at tree-line and alpine elevations, although some dry snow may be found on due north aspects above 2400m extreme winds have blown this into possible slabs. The mid and lower snowpack are very well settled but no refreeze at Rogers Pass plot means low elevation is still loose and wet.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterdays natural avalanche cycle produced numerous avalanches from all aspects up to size 3.0. This was followed by some activity overnight from before the freezing temperatures up to size 3.0. Yesterdays shoot produced avalanches up to size 2.5 from about 1/2 the shots.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Problems

Loose Wet

Be cautious of lower elevation areas that have no crust formation from overnight. Loose avalanches are possible there.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Avoid slopes with glide cracks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Storm Slabs

High to extreme winds in the last 24 hours have formed wind slabs in exposed Alpine and Treeline areas where the snow was still soft and dry. Pockets of good dry snow may be found in protected North aspect areas above 2400m.

If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Be aware that step down avalanches are possible if storm slabs or wind slabs are triggered in wind loaded areas.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Apr 10th, 2014 8:00AM