Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 1st, 2016 9:17AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Choose your route to avoid exposure to sun-baked terrain and slopes overhung by cornices.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Hot weather continues through the weekend, with the freezing level around 2500 m.Â A brief disturbance on Saturday may bring some cloud and light drizzle before mainly sunny days on Sunday/Monday. A front passing through late on Monday is expected to bring around 10 mm precipitation, with the freezing level around 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

A natural cycle of size 1-2 loose wet and occasional wet slab avalanches has been reported over the last few days. This is likely to continue as long as temperatures remain high. An isolated size 2 wind slab was also observed on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Large cornices which overhang alpine slopes will be weak with prolonged warming and sunshine. Recent storm snow (which was deepest in the south-east) has settled with continued warm temperatures. Crusts which have been forming at the surface by night have been breaking down quickly by day. A hard crust buried around 20-60 cm down may act as a sliding layer for wet slabs. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground are becoming hard to find, but may become sensitive to triggering from significant warming or with large loads such as cornice fall.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose wet avalanches are likely on any steep terrain when the temperatures are high.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>Travel early before the heat of the day, and avoid big slopes in the afternoon.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

Large fragile cornices threaten many slopes. A cornice fall could trigger a large avalanche on the slope below.

Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.>Stay well to the windward side of corniced ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Apr 2nd, 2016 2:00PM