Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 24th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada CB, Avalanche Canada

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Good quality riding can still be found on shaded polar aspects.

Expect challenging valley bottom travel and surface crust on solar aspects.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new natural activity observed over the last few days.

On Monday, a field team in the Fidelity zone was able to ski-control several dry/loose sz 1 avalanches on N aspects, as well as ski-cut a wind slab on an E aspect.

Also Monday, a field team also was able to ski-control wet/loose avalanches to sz 2 on solar aspects steeper than 35°.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temps + solar effect have created surface crusts on all but polar aspects in the alpine. Expect 20 cm of dry snow and wind slabs at upper elevation on lee features. These slabs sit atop a series of crusts on all aspects except high north faces, where they overlie dry snow.

The Feb 3rd crust, down ~110cm, is the dominant mid-pack layer and still produces isolated planar results when tested.

Below tree-line, expect spring conditions. Travel is rough at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Spring storms continue :), as unsettled conditions bring light to moderate precip through Sunday with snow at upper elevations.

Tonight: Cloudy/flurries, Trace snow, Alp low -5°C, Light SW ridge top winds

Thurs: Cloudy/flurries, Trace snow, Alp high 0°C, light W winds, 2000m FZL

Fri: Flurries, 10-15 cm, Alp high 1°C, light E winds, 2100m FZL

Sat: Flurries, 5-10 cm, Alp high 0°C, light ridge winds, 2100m FZL

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Isolated pockets of wind slab are lingering on lee features in the alpine.

Strong gusty winds and fresh snow have created a new windslab problem. Expect to find this problem most reactive in the lee sides of ridges or in cross loaded terrain in the alpine.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 25th, 2024 4:00PM

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