Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 15th, 2018–Apr 16th, 2018

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

Variable spring weather makes for rapidly changing affects on the surface storm slab. Take the time to monitor surface layer bonds to underlying crusts.

Weather Forecast

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries and light ridge top winds from the SW. Possibility of rain this afternoon with freezing levels rising to somewhere in the 1500-2000m range depending what forecast you trust. Monday another pulse of moisture should bring us upwards of 15cm and a freezing level of 1800m.

Snowpack Summary

6cm overnight and over 30cm in the last 72hrs. The main pulse of snow was accompanied by strong S'ly winds. Storm snow sits on a supportive crust between 1500-2000m. Below 1500m the crust becomes thin & unsupportive. Higher elevations expect 30-50cm dry snow with isolated wind slabs. The Mar 15 crust complex down 70-90cm on solar aspects.

Avalanche Summary

A couple size 2.5 avalanches off of steep terrain on Mt MacDonald paths yesterday. Thin storm snow natural slides to size 1 were observed in the backcountry. Ski cuts at treeline on a NE aspect yesterday produced surface slabs to size 1 down to the underlying crust. These slides were sluggish and only released where pushed with no propagation.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Over 30cm in last 48hrs initially accompanied by strong to extreme winds has created widespread storm slabs on all aspects at Treeline and in the Alpine. Expect the strong winds to have scoured S aspects & created firm windslabs on N facing terrain.

The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Loose Wet

The forecast calls for cloudy with sunny periods. If the sun does decide to make an appearance today solar radiation may initiate loose wet slides on steeper Southerly aspects. Rain possible later today will also destabilize surface layers.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5