Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 16th, 2019–Apr 17th, 2019

Alpine

Below Threshold.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Below Threshold.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Below Threshold.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Regions

Little Yoho.

The weather is expected to deteriorate by Thursday. When traveling in stormy conditions expect to find significant change in snow accumulation as you gain elevation.

Weather Forecast

Most forecast are showing an approaching westerly front moving in Wednesday afternoon. Expect to see an increase in wind values in the alpine and light precipitation starting later in the day. By Thursday we could see 5 to 10 of snow accumulation at upper elevations and likely rain in the valley. The precipe is expected to continue through Friday.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 50cm has fallen at higher elevations since April 9. Recent winds and snow have created windslabs on lee N and E aspects in the alpine, up to 100cm deep. Still some uncertainty with the March 7 layer, snowpack structure and recent test show a weakness 50 to100cm down on high north aspects but no avalanche activity has been recently reported.

Avalanche Summary

Several recent windslab avalanches were observed today. Generally releasing from immediate lee slopes to size 2. One size 2.5 was observation on 93N, this appeared to be a cornice triggered windslab.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.