Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 10th, 2016 8:00AM

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

Parks Canada andrew jones, Parks Canada

Spring skiing is here!  Early starts and early finishes are strongly recommended.  Although supportive in the morning, the upper snowpack is moist and will breakdown quickly with daytime warming.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Another glorious morning at Rogers Pass that promises to be a beauty day.  Mostly sunny with clouds building later this evening.  A weak temperature inversion is in place with near freezing temps in the Alpine. Freezing levels climb to 2300m with light SE winds. Next sign of precipitation is light rain on Tuesday, so may as well enjoy the sunshine!

Snowpack Summary

Despite a weak temperature inversion, clear nights have been cooling the snow surface creating a supportive crust. The crust will breakdown quickly on steep solar terrain. Recent winds have likely spoiled any remaining north facing powder stashes leaving touchy wind slabs. Persistent weak layers still linger down ~100cm.

Avalanche Summary

2 loose wet avalanches size 2.5 were observed yesterday in the west end of the highway corridor. These avalanches started small but entrained a lot of mass.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
It doesn't take long for the strong solar and very warm temps to break down the weak surface crust. Loose wet avalanches are expected.
Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Avoid exposure to solar aspects overhead, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wet Slabs

An icon showing Wet Slabs
Strong solar input and daytime warming have created a wet slab problem. These slabs can be triggered from loose point releases or they can fail seemingly unprompted in the form of a large glide release.
Avoid lingering in runout zones.Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Huge cornices along ridges will be weakened by the strong sun today and continued above freezing temps. A chunk of cornice tumbling down-slope is a concern in itself, but cornices failures also provide a heavy trigger and may trigger large avalanches
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, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 11th, 2016 8:00AM