Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 18th, 2012 8:11AM

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

sylvia forest, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Avalanche hazard will change to CONSIDERABLE if it gets sunny this afternoon, or if snow flurries turns to rain.

Summary

Problems

Loose Wet

Light freezes overnight will keep the snowpack firm. Clouds are expected to dissipate this afternoon, and warming with solar radiation will weaken the snowpack, especially near the surface on sunny slopes. Snow on rocky areas can warm up even more

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wet Slabs

The upper snowpack is now moist and isothermal to 2000m with a series of crusts in the top 90 cm. The crusts provide potential failure plains and good bed surfaces for avalanches. Recent large avalanches have been failing to the ground.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Moderate southerly winds in have created windslabs behind terrain features.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 19th, 2012 8:00AM