Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 14th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
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Avalanche Canada
High elevations where the surface snow may remain dry, and where the melt-freeze crust is thin or absent, is where you're most likely to trigger or encounter avalanches. The field data upon which we build this forecast is limited so please adjust your travel to match the conditions encountered.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No avalanche reports were received Thursday. Wednesday: Storm slabs (80 cm deep) up to size 3 on northwest through northeast aspects at 2100 m and above. Also smaller storm slabs (30 cm deep) were reported running on the crust, but at lower elevations they broke through that crust and entrained wet snow below.
Snowpack Summary
Last week the region was deluged with rain at most elevations. There should be some dry snow near the highest peaks; but is it 10 cm or 60 cm?
High elevation shady slopes with recent dry snow is where slab avalanche problems are most likely. This snow rests on a widespread crust; the exception is on north-facing slopes at treeline and above where the storm snow sits on old, faceted surfaces, and on surface hoar in some sheltered areas.
Elsewhere, a thick rain crust or settled moist snow exists at the surface. Avalanche danger will be closely coupled to daytime warming and melting. The more the crust weakens, and the deeper the wetness goes, the greater the hazard from wet loose avalanches.
The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled. In some areas, the lower snowpack has a layer of weak facets near the ground.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Clear with cloudy periods. Nil precipitation. Increasing southwest winds gusting to moderate. Treeline temperatures around -4 with freezing level falling to valley bottom..
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Trace of precipitation. WInd light from the south or southwest. Alpine high temperatures around -1 C with freezing levels to 1900 m.
Sunday
Warm overnight with freezing level only falling to around 1500m. Sunday itself overcast with 5 to 15 cm of snow at high elevations. Alpine temperatures around -3C with freezing level up to around 1900 m. Light, gusting moderate southerly wind.
Monday
Sunny with cloudy periods and isolated flurries. Around 5 cm of snow at high elevations. Cooler with diminishing wind.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
- Stay in tune with the physical environment, conditions may change throughout the day.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
- Avalanche hazard is expected to to increase througout the day, think carefully about your egress.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Dry snow avalanches might be found at high elevations, especially on shady northerly slopes. South and southwest wind may have formed deeper, more reactive deposits of wind slab on leeward slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 15th, 2023 4:00PM
