Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 11th, 2012 10:24AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

This bulletin is based on very limited field data. Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Light precipitation starting Wednesday night and continuing through Thursday / light southeast winds / freezing level at 1500m Friday: Light precipitation / light to moderate northerly winds / freezing level at 1200m Saturday: generally clear skies / light and variable winds / freezing level at 1500m

Avalanche Summary

We have had very little information about recent avalanche activity from this region. Based on observations from the Northwest Coastal region, I would expect wet loose snow avalanches have been occurring up to size 2 on solar aspects.

Snowpack Summary

We have had very little information about the snowpack in this region for several days now. However, I suspect the warmer temperatures and generally light winds have consolidated the snowpack in many areas. Anticipate extensive crusts on solar aspects and moist snow at lower elevations. On shady aspects, I suspect you can still find pockets of dry snow, which may sit over previous old wind slabs. Wet slabs become a possibility during periods of prolonged warming, especially if there is minimal amounts of overnight freeze. Expect cornices to be large and potentially unstable, especially under sunny skies.

Problems

Cornices

Large cornices exist in alpine terrain. A failure could be destructive by itself, and could also trigger an avalanche on the slope below.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Loose Wet

Snow stability can deteriorate very quickly with spring temperatures. Watch for loose wet avalanches on steep terrain, especially if the sun is shining.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Apr 12th, 2012 9:00AM