Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Apr 5 – 6, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Wind slabs and cornices are possible at higher elevations. Be cautious as you climb and continually reassess conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Wind slabs may still be reactive on steep convexities at higher elevations where the snow is still dry.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2
    Cornices are large and may fall off naturally with daytime warming.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Cloudy with light afternoon flurries (5-10 cm), strong southwest wind, freezing level around 2200 m.FRIDAY: Wet flurries increasing overnight (3-6 cm), moderate southwest wind, freezing around 2200 m.SATURDAY: Clearing throughout the day, strong southwest wind, freezing level dropping to 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, explosive control produced two small wind slabs in steep alpine terrain in the southeast part of the region. Numerous small loose wet avalanches were observed on steep solar aspects on Tuesday. Increasing wind speeds could build fresh wind slabs and warming may irritate cornices.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack has entered a daily melt-freeze cycle. Hard crusts form overnight and become moist surface snow during the heat of the day. The exception is north-facing alpine terrain, where about 20 cm of recent dry snow and isolated wind slabs may exist. The bottom third of the snowpack is composed of weak facets, but this deep persistent weakness has not been reactive for a few weeks.

Regions covered