Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 22nd, 2015 8:00AM

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

danyelle magnan, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Warm overnight temps and showery weather today will keep conditions touchy. Be prepared to adjust your objectives; conditions will change rapidly in the coming days with an unsettled forecast and the warm spring snowpack.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A series of cool and moist weather systems move through the region over the next few days. Today expect showers/flurries with freezing levels at 2000m, moderate SW winds and a few sunny breaks. Thursday will be similar but slightly warmer with alpine temps of +3'C. On Friday expect a mix of sun and cloud, with freezing levels lowering to 1800m.

Snowpack Summary

There was no overnight recovery last night, and it is presently raining to at least 1900m. The snowpack on solar aspects is moist and composed of multiple crusts, while on sheltered north aspects dry snow can still be found above ~2100m. A 30-60cm slab over a crust on solar aspects and surface hoar on North aspects remains a concern.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterday strong solar and warm temps continued to trigger numerous loose and slab avalanches from all aspects other than due North, starting at elevations ranging from 1800m to 2600m. Most of the wet avalanches were 2.5's but there were a few size 3's, including another size 3 glide crack release.

Confidence

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

Problems

Loose Wet

Unsettled weather may bring periods of rain. Temps remained above freezing overnight preventing an overnight recovery. If rain amounts are higher than forecast they may trigger loose wet avalanches. The moist surface may be easily triggered by skiers

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy rain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Crusts on solar aspects, and surface hoar on shaded slopes, buried down 30-60cm are still a concern. Daytime warming, loose avalanches and skiers can trigger this layer. Natural avalanches continue to observed on these layers.

Test slopes before committing to them.Whumpfing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong inicators of unstable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 23rd, 2015 8:00AM