Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 29th, 2013 8:00AM

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

ali haeri, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Northwesterly flow will keep temperatures cool today into tomorrow with light to locally moderate amounts of precipitation. A ridge of high pressure will build Tuesday evening bringing clear skies and rising freezing levels to the interior on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

16cm of new snow overnight sits on moist and wet snow on all aspects and most elevations. Dry snow may still be found above 2500m on north aspects.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterday: numerous avalanches ranging in size from 2.0 to 2.5 in the highway corridor. On Mt Abbott, size 2.0 Na, east aspect at 2500m.

Confidence

on Monday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Sustained south winds and new snow available for transport are creating wind slabs and loaded pockets of snow at higher elevations.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Storm Slabs

Up to 20cm of storm snow has fallen overnight. This overlies moist, isothermal snow and crusts. Riders may trigger sluffs in steep terrain that can gain significant mass in heavy, moist snow.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Expect loose avalanches in this new snow from "pin wheeling" or from solar triggering if the sun comes out today.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 30th, 2013 8:00AM