Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 15th, 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 and Wet Slabs.

danyelle magnan, Parks Canada

Glacier.

We've finally enjoyed a spring melt-freeze cycle. With good timing, fun and safe skiing has been possible. That will change this weekend. Very high freezing levels, with above freezing overnight temps will prevent overnight recoveries.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Recent clear skies and below freezing temps overnight have formed a strong melt-freeze crust, that holds up until mid day. This continues today, with an alpine high of 3'C and a low of -1'C overnight. However over the weekend temps continue to rise, and won't drop below freezing overnight. Temps to 14'C and freezing levels to 3500m are forecast.

Snowpack Summary

N'ly winds kept conditions cool yesterday. The melt-freeze crust on the surface is over 15cm thick, with the top ~5cm breaking down to "corn" by early afternoon. Below this crust is ~60cm of weak, moist snow; a concern if the crust breaks down. On steep, N'ly aspects above ~2000m the snow remains dry. At low elevations the snow is rapidly receding.

Avalanche Summary

There has been very little avalanche activity lately, but sporadic avalanches continue to occur. On Tuesday, a size 3 wet slab on the SW face of Cheops Mountain at about 2500 meters. Glide-cracks are opening up on many slopes and can fail unpredictably.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

A strong surface crust exists, and with good timing spring "corn" skiing can be had when the surface starts to break down. However, if the crust has completely broken down loose wet avalanches will be easy to trigger and can entrain significant mass.

Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.Start and finish early before the surface crusts melt.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wet Slabs

As the snowpack warms and weakens during the day wet slab avalanche are more likely. Large and destructive wet slab avalanches have been observed recently. As freezing levels rise over the weekend more avalanche activity is expected.

Use extra caution on solar slopes, or if the snow is moist or wet.Avoid exposure to overhead slopes with Glide Cracks. Avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 16th, 2016 8:00AM