Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 14th, 2019 3:25PM

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

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

South Coast Inland.

5-15 cm of new snow and moderate to strong westerly winds have formed fresh wind slabs reactive to human triggers. Use caution around lee terrain features and steep, convex slopes.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy / Light, northwesterly winds / Alpine low -8 C / Freezing level 800 m..MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, southwesterly winds / Alpine high -3 C / Freezing level 1600 m.TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, southwesterly winds / Alpine high -2 C / Freezing level 1600 m.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Moderate, westerly winds / Alpine high 0 C / Freezing level 2000 m

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region on Saturday.On Friday, a snowmobiler was buried in a size 2.5 wind slab avalanche on a north facing aspect at 2200 m. near the Blowdown cabin. Check out the MIN report HERE.

Snowpack Summary

Currently, the snowpack structure changes dramatically with elevation and aspect. 10-20 cm. of recent storm snow (amounts tapering with elevation) is sitting on a melt/freeze crust, except for north facing terrain above 2000 m. where the old snow surface remained dry and small surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) may be present in isolated locations. This recent snow has been affected by the sun and re-distributed by southerly winds, forming wind slabs on lee features below ridgetops.Below roughly 1900 m, the snowpack is moist and is melting rapidly at lower elevations. Check out this useful link for managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions HERE.

Problems

Wind Slabs

5-15 cm of new snow and moderate to strong westerly winds have formed fresh wind slabs reactive to human triggers. Use caution around lee terrain features and steep, convex slopes.

Avoid wind loaded slopes below ridgetops.Pay attention to changing conditions with elevation/aspect.Use small slopes without consequence to test the bond of the new snow.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

When the sun comes out, expect the loose wet avalanche hazard to increase rapidly.

Avoid terrain traps such as cliffs and gullies that increase the consequence of small avalanches.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if the snow is moist or wet.Cornices become weak with daytime heating, travel early on exposed slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 15th, 2019 2:00PM