Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 12th, 2015 4:00PM

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 Cornices.

Avalanche Canada aaron beardmore, Avalanche Canada

Strong wind is creating wind slabs in lee areas in the alpine.

Please read: Spring Conditions

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cool temps and moderate to strong NW wind will persist over the next two days. Very little snow accumulation beyond Sunday afternoon.

Snowpack Summary

20-30cm of new snow over the last 28 hours with gusty SW winds has created wind slabs up to 50cm thick in lee areas above treeline. The new snow sits on a firm crust on solar aspects up to ridge crests and up to 2300m on N aspects. Below this the snow pack is well settled overall.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were observed or reported today.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slabs have formed in lee areas above treeline up to 50cm thick. These are reactive to skier traffic and have been failing naturally in some locations. Expect sluffing in any steep terrain as well.

  • Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

There have been many reports of cornice chunks falling off of ridge crests which may be big enough a load to trigger an avalanche on the basal facets, or be enough mass to be a hazard themselves.

  • Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 13th, 2015 4:00PM