Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 15th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.
mconlan,
Avalanche Canada
Human triggering of a buried weak layer remains possible.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches were observed in the region. The last persistent slab activity occurred last Thursday. Although the likelihood is decreasing, it remains possible for humans to trigger this buried weak layer.
Snowpack Summary
Around 5 to 10 cm of recent snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes to the mountain tops and all aspects up to around 1400 m. The snow will likely moisten with daytime warming. Dry, settled snow should persist on shaded aspects in the alpine.
50 to 100 cm of snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust from early April. The overlying snow is slow to bond to the crust where pockets of weak surface hoar or faceted grains rest on the crust, which is most likely on northerly aspects at treeline and alpine elevations.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Mostly clear skies. 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Tuesday
Clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.
Wednesday
Clear skies. 10 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1400 m.
Thursday
Clear skies. 10 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of facets and/or surface hoar is buried around 50 to 100 cm deep. The layer is most prominent on terrain features sheltered from the wind.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches are likely in steep terrain during the heat of the day. These avalanches could step down to deeper layers, forming large avalanches.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 16th, 2024 4:00PM
