Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 8th, 2017 4:38PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Cornices and Wind Slabs.

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

Lizard-Flathead.

Cornices are the primary concern. Solar radiation is a common cornice trigger. Limit your exposure when it's cloudy and completely avoid cornices when it's sunny.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Light southwesterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1900 m.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Light southwesterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1700 m.TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with flurries. Light southwesterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1700 m.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose wet avalanches to size 1 in steep terrain were reported on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

10-15 cm of new snow and moderate southwesterly winds have created thin wind slabs on lee features below alpine ridgetops. Cornices are large, looming, and best avoided. The snowpack is well settled and continues to transition into a spring snowpack, becoming isothermal at treeline in some areas and below treeline in most areas. The December facets and November rain crust are buried deep, but these deep persistent weaknesses have not been reactive for several weeks. However, rapid warming of the snowpack or a large trigger, like a cornice, could trigger this layer.

Problems

Cornices

Solar radiation is a common cornice trigger. Limit your exposure when it's cloudy and completely avoid cornices when it's sunny.

Minimize exposure to overhead hazard from cornices.Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

New snow and moderate southwest winds have formed thin wind slabs below alpine ridgetops.

Approach steep lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 9th, 2017 2:00PM