Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 13th, 2013 10:07AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.

mpeter, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Be aware that SOUTH and WEST facing slopes will destabilize with direct radiation from the sunny weather. Loose wet sluffs are likely in the afternoon.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Sunday: Expect a mix of sun and cloud with alpine temperatures reaching -8 and freezing levels around 900m. Winds should be light from the East.Monday/Tuesday: Lots of sunny skies with alpine temperatures reaching -8 in the afternoons and winds turning from easterly to southeasterly, but remaining light.

Avalanche Summary

No new information from the region.

Snowpack Summary

15-35cm of recent snow is generally bonding well to the previous snow surface, which includes a crust, facets and/or surface hoar. Warm afternoon temperatures have moistened the surface snow on all but the highest and most sheltered slopes. Previous strong westerly winds created widespread hard and soft wind slabs in exposed areas, which have been reactive to human triggers on steep wind-loaded rolls. These slabs are now lightly buried. Below treeline, the surface snow is undergoing daily melt-freeze cycles with the upper meter becoming wet and losing cohesion by mid-afternoon. Concerns remain for a patchy persistent weakness buried a month ago, and deeper in the snowpack, basal facets may become a concern with continued mild temperatures. Cornices are well-developed and could easily become unstable during periods of warm weather or direct solar radiation.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Variable winds have built windslabs in unusual locations. They are susceptible to human triggering in steep terrain.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Be aware that areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Apr 14th, 2013 2:00PM