Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 2nd, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada MM, Avalanche Canada

Email

The hazard could be higher than expected if more snow falls than forecasted. Continually assess conditions and use safe travel habits.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Sunday, no new avalanches were observed.

Saturday, several naturally triggered loose dry avalanches from the gullies on Mt. Macdonald.

Glide cracks have been on the move recently, giving isolated large avalanches this week from steep south facing terrain. There was a size 3 just West of the park on Friday, and a few size 2.5-3.5 from Mt Tupper earlier in the week.

Snowpack Summary

New snow (5-15cm at time of writing) is covering a solid crust on solar aspects, and 5-10cm of settled old powder on polar aspects.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally strong. However, the basal weakness of rounding facets/decomposing crust can be found near the ground in many locations, and will remain worthy of consideration until the end of the season.

Weather Summary

An unstable airmass will provide ongoing convective flurries into next week.

Tonight: Flurries (trace). Alpine Low -11°C. Light ridge wind East. Freezing level(FZL) valley bottom.

Mon: Flurries (5cm). High -7°C. FZL 1400m. Light N wind.

Tues: Flurries (trace). Low -11°C, High -7°C. FZL 1300m.

Wed: No precip. Low -9°C, High -6°C. FZL 1500m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Even a small avalanche can be harmful if it pushes you into an obstacle or a terrain trap.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Problems

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

Expect loose snow avalanches in steep terrain - these could gain sufficient mass to take you for a ride in confined terrain such as gullies.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

New snow and wind will build fresh thin slabs in open terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 3rd, 2023 4:00PM