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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

May 2nd, 2024–May 5th, 2024
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Friday will be a good day to avoid travel in avalanche terrain. Wet avalanches can be very destructive and reach down to the valley floor to be sure to think about overhead terrain.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Numerous wet slabs and loose wet avalanches up to sz 2.5 on all aspects

Snowpack Summary

Up to 60cm of recent storm snow has settled fast with the warmer temperatures and is quickly settling into a reactive storm and or wet slab. This snow is overlying a variety of surfaces from crusts on solar aspects to dry snow on steep northern polar aspects. When the sun comes out, we are expecting a natural avalanche cycle to occur. During brief glimpses of alpine terrain on Thursday, wet slab avalanches were observed as high as 2600m on all aspects. Friday will be a good day to avoid avalanche terrain.

Weather Summary

The storm is finally ending and we are looking to return to back to spring, hopefully for the last time! Skies will begin to clear on Friday and winds will be light. The freezing level is forecast to be around 2300m and rising to 2600m on Saturday.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Recent snow is settling into a reactive wet storm slab in all open areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Loose Wet

Wet slides may trigger the deeper weak layers so use caution and be mindful to avoid overhead terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Very Likely - Certain

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

As conditions warm up over the next few days, watch for the deeper persistent layers to start to wake up with the new load. These slides will run far as wet as slides will follow terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3