Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 5th, 2013 9:42AM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

South Columbia.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

Saturday: Overcast with light to locally moderate precipitation possible. Winds moderate from the southwest. Freezing level 1600m. Sunday: A break between off-shore weather systems will bring overcast skies with a trace to light amounts of snow and some possible sunny breaks. Light south winds and 1500m freezing level.Monday: A weak ridge of high pressure starts to influence the weather pattern. Dry conditions and gradually rising freezing levels are forecast.

Avalanche Summary

Solar aspects have recently been very active showing lots of natural loose wet avalanches and cornice releases up to size 2.5 when the sun has been shining. Expect glide cracks to continue releasing with warm temperatures and rain at lower elevations.

Snowpack Summary

At upper elevations 20-30cm of new snow is covering a crust or moist snow. In some places in the alpine and at treeline this new snow may have buried a recently formed layer of surface hoar or facets. At lower elevations (below 2000m) rain has made the snow surface wet or moist down 50-100cm. New snow combined with wind will have made large cornices even bigger.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow combined with wind has created windslabs in the lee of terrain features.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Loose Wet

With little re-freeze overnight and possible rain, conditions can change rapidly at lower elevations. Avalanche activity, snowballing, moist and wet snow are initial indicators of deterioration and increased hazard.

Avoid travelling on slopes which are becoming wet due to rain, warm temperatures, or sun.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

New snow and wind have made large cornices even bigger.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Apr 6th, 2013 2:00PM