Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Apr 4 – 5, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

We're into a daily melt-freeze cycle. Be alert to changing snow conditions as the snow warms up.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Lingering wind slabs may still be reactive in exposed terrain at higher elevations where the snow is still dry.

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY: Increasing cloud, strong southwest wind, freezing level climbing to 2000 m after an overnight refreeze.THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy with light amounts of snow/rain, strong southwest wind, freezing level up to 2300 m with little overnight refreeze.FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with 2-4 cm of wet snow later in the day, moderate southwest wind, freezing around 2400 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Tuesday, but small loose wet avalanches likely occurred on solar aspects. Increasing cloud cover will decrease the likelihood loose wet avalanches on Wednesday, but slab avalanches remain a concern at higher elevations.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack has entered a daily melt-freeze cycle. Hard crusts form overnight and become moist surface snow during the heat of the day. The exception is north-facing alpine terrain, where about 20 cm of dry snow and isolated wind slabs may exist. The bottom third of the snowpack is composed of weak facets and full-depth avalanches over this basal weakness could be possible with a heavy trigger such as a cornice fall.

Regions covered