Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 15th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs, Cornices and Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada trettie, Avalanche Canada

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Avoid avalanche terrain. Rapid loading from snowfall and wind is likely to induce a natural avalanche cycle.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No significant avalanches were reported in the past couple days but observations are limited this time of year.

We expect that a natural avalanche cycle could take place on Sunday.

If you are venturing into the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

New snow accompanied by southerly winds will overlie a crust at treeline and below. In the alpine this new snow will fall on a variety of surfaces including dry snow and wind slab on the north and crust and wind pressed surfaces on the south.

Several crusts can be found in the upper snowpack. A well settled snowpack exists below.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of dense new snow expected. Strong southerly winds and freezing level around 1300 m with the snowline around 900 m.

Sunday

Stormy with 10 to 20 cm of dense new snow expected. Moderate to strong southerly winds and freezing levels rising to 1600 m with the snowline around 1000 m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected. Moderate southeast winds and a high of -4°C at 1800 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow possible. Light to moderate southerly winds and a High of -5°C at 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy snowfall.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • Be careful to keep storm day fever from luring you out into bigger terrain features.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Ongoing snowfall and southerly winds will form reactive storm slab. The largest and most sensitive will be found on wind loaded features on west through east aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

New snow accompanied by southerly winds will add to cornices increasing the likelihood of them failing naturally.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

At lower elevations, where rain is possible, wet loose avalanches could occur on steep slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 16th, 2023 4:00PM

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