Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 6th, 2019 8:03AM

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

mike smallwood, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Prepare for adventurous travel below treeline with a variable overnight refreeze. Watch out for skier triggerable windslabs in the North alpine where it is still possible to find winter snow.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Mainly cloudy today with flurries this morning, rain possible to 1500m this afternoon. Alpine high of -4 as the freezing level rises to 1800m. Wind is forecast to be strong from the SW. Flurries are forecast to continue tonight and tomorrow, persisting into next week with 10cm of accumulation by Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15cm of recent snow with moderate Southerly winds has formed wind slabs at TL and ALP elevations. The recent snow buries a melt freeze crust on all aspects to tree line. Below the crust, the top 50cm is becoming moist during the day, isothermal in thin snowpack areas BTL. Elsewhere the lower snowpack is strong where over 2m.

Avalanche Summary

A size 1.5 skier accidental was reported from Cheops North 4 on Thursday. Crown depth was 10-20cm, 10m wide and ran for 700m stopping at the top of the fan, no involvement. Several other size 1-1.5 natural wind slabs were also observed in the area. MacDonald Gully #12 produced a natural size 2 early Thursday morning and ran 3/4 down the fan.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

15cm of recent snow and moderate Southerly winds have created wind slabs in ALP and TL lee features. These slabs sit on a melt-freeze crust and could be sensitive to human triggering. In N ALP a surface hoar layer may be preserved.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Surface melt-freeze crusts are capping weak isothermal snow in thin snowpack areas BTL. These crusts are also prevalent at tree-line and above on solar aspects. Crusts have been breaking down by mid afternoon from the heat of the day.

Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 7th, 2019 8:00AM