Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
The April sun is HOT!!
Minimize your exposure to sun exposed slopes, as large avalanches may be running far today!
And, don't forget about those reactive wind slabs in wind exposed areas in the alpine and treeline....
Weather Forecast
A ridge of high pressure will maintain dry and sunny weather until Wednesday.
Today: mix of sun and cloud. No precip. Freezing level rising to 1700m. Wind West 10 km/h.
Tonight: clear periods. No precip. Fzl lowering to 900m. Wind West 10-20 km/h.
Tuesday: mix of sun and cloud. No precip. Fzl 1900m. Wind SW-20 gusting to 50km/h.
Snowpack Summary
A convective 15-30cm of new snow fell at treeline overnight Saturday and into the day yesterday, dwindling to rain below 1200m. Wind blasted surfaces and suncrusts exist below the new snow. BTL, expect spring melt-freeze conditions. Recent snow over the March 18th suncrust and surface hoar has settled to about 80cm at treeline. Cornices are large!
Avalanche Summary
This morning a size 3.0 wind slab released naturally from the north side of Mt. Macdonald. Yesterday, a skier triggered a large wind slab on the north side of Cheops and field teams were able to ski cut small size 1.0 wind slabs on a convex roll below the Asulkan hut. Saturday, a group triggered a size 2 in a shallow, wind loaded area.
Confidence
Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
15-30cm of new snow with strong southerly wind has created new wind slabs. Use extra caution in shallow and cross-loaded features. There have been a few skier accidental and skier controlled avalanches on this layer in the past few days!
- Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
- Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, or cracking.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Loose Wet
Despite a good overnight refreeze, the April sun packs a real punch and moist snow is preserved below the surface crust below treeline. At treeline and above, expect the newly fallen snow to be quickly affected by the sun.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5