Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 10th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Dry and Persistent Slabs.
Stephen Holeczi,
Its April, but the snowpack does not feel like spring up high. There is still good skiing but watch for wind slab development, sluffing, and exposure to cornices in the alpine.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A cooler day Sunday and freezing levels are only expected to rise to around 1500m. North winds will diminish and Sunday will have generally light winds at al elevations. No snow is expected and there will be a mix of sun and cloud. Easterly winds will develop Monday.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 40cm of recent snow buries a crust up to 1800m on all aspects (higher on steep solar aspects). New wind slab growth in the alpine down into tree line. Several persistent layers exist in the mid to lower snowpack and have been responsible for several large avalanches. These layers will remain a concern for some time due to their uncertainty.
Avalanche Summary
Today, loose dry avalanches to 2 on all aspects were observed. There were also some cornice failures which pulled a few wind slabs up to size 2.5. All of these observations were in alpine terrain.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Up to 40cm of recent snow with moderate to strong winds have formed new wind slab in the alpine and some isolated tree line terrain. We suspect these will be most susceptible to triggering in the high alpine.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially in steep confined alpine terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Anticipate power sloughing in steep, confined gullies. This is a short term problem but may last a couple more days.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep, confined or exposed terrain.
- If triggered dry loose point releases can form deeper deposits in terrain traps.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Its been a few days since slides on the various deeper weak layers were observed, but they left an impression on us. We are especially suspicious of slopes that have large cornices above them. These may have enough punch to tickle the deeper layers.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger persistent slabs.
- Pockets of persistent slabs linger on alpine lee features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 11th, 2021 4:00PM
