Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 13th, 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 jon schleiss, Parks Canada

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

Summary

Weather Forecast

Today sunny with cloudy periods, no precipitation, freeze line rising to 1900m. Tonight clear periods, no precipitation, freeze line falling to 1400m. Mainly cloudy on thursday with no precipitation, and FL rising to 2100m. It will be getting sunny and warmer on the weekend and will be severe clear and hot next week. 

Snowpack Summary

Up to 3cm of new snow has fallen on a crust that formed early yesterday evening. This crust is expected to break down during the day today. As the crust breaks down and melts avalanche hazard will increase.

Avalanche Summary

We have been experiencing regular natural avalanche cycles in the afternoon with daytime warming and the strong effects of the sun. Avalanches have been in the sz 1.5 - 2.5 range and either loose wet or wet slab releases. Sporadic glide crack releases to sz 3 have been recorded recently. No new avalanches have been recorded in the last 24 hours.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
It doesn't take long for the strong solar & warm temps to break down the weak surface crust. Loose wet avalanches are expected. Be especially careful on S aspects & in terrain traps below treeline where even small slides could bury or push you around
Start and finish early before the surface crusts melt.Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 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 overhead exposure to glide cracks!
Watch for glide cracks.Plan to be off big slopes before the temperatures rises and the snowpack deteriorates.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Cornices along ridges will be weakened by the sun & warm temps. Serac fall from glaciers has also been observed recently. Pieces of cornice or ice crashing down are concerns in their own right but these can trigger larger avalanches once on the slope
Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 14th, 2016 8:00AM