Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 22nd, 2014 8:35AM
The alpine rating is Deep Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeMuch cooler conditions on Wednesday will tighten up the snowpack, but still be aware of periods of intense solar radiation that can rapidly increase the avalanche danger on solar aspects.
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Temperatures should drop through the night and be much cooler tomorrow. Highs of only -6 degrees are expected Wednesday with freezing levels near 1600m. Winds will be moderate to strong from the West. Wed and Thurs will bring a mix of sun and cloud, but Fri and Sat may see flurries with small accumulations.
Avalanche Summary
Observations were limited, but one size 3.5 wet slab was observed on a North and NE aspect at 2400m. This slide likely occurred in the past 24hrs during a period of warming. This slide stepped to ground along much of it's 800 metre wide fracture line.
Snowpack Summary
Spring conditions. The snowpack is settling rapidly. Surface crusts are melting during the day and re-freezing at night. The snowpack has gone isothermal at lower elevations on the warmer days (including today). Even North aspects have been affected with moist snow as high as 2500m. One large recent avalanche has occurred on a North aspect (see Avalanche Activity). Where cornices exist they are large and sagging.
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
The basal weak layers have become reactive with the recent Spring weather. Cooler conditions on Wednesday will reduce the likelihood of triggering this problem, but any daytime heating or solar radiation could increase avalanche activity.
Cornices become weak with daytime heating. >Choose the deepest and strongest snowpack areas on your run.>Avoid exposure to solar aspects overhead, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.>Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
If the sun pokes thought the clouds, radiation-triggered sluffs are possible.
Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.>
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 23rd, 2014 2:00PM