Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 17th, 2013 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Expect some light flurries the next few days with light wind. The new snow may hide the underlying thin slab condition. (LP)
Summary
Weather Forecast
Light flurries with light SW wind expected for the next 3 days. Freezing levels will rise to 1800 m and then drop down again on Saturday night.
Snowpack Summary
In the alpine last weeks storm snow is settling and bonding to crusts on solar aspects and to faceted snow on north and east aspects. Isolated thin wind slabs can be expected in the high alpine. Temperatures stayed cool today and the crusts below tree-line stayed supportive well into the afternoon.
Avalanche Summary
Some avalanche observations from ACMG Ski Guide Exam today: on Vermillion Peak (KNP) a size 2 loose avalanche on an East aspect and a size 2 slab (~30 cm thick) on a North aspect, cross-loaded feature, click here for photo. Yesterday, they were able to ski cut thin size 1 hard slabs on West aspects in the high alpine on Cathedral (YNP).
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for isolated thin slabs in the lee of alpine features. These slabs may be hidden by recent light snowfall.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 18th, 2013 4:00PM