Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 7th, 2012 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jfloyer, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

This region should remain dry from Sunday through Tuesday. Freezing levels will be around 1500 m, with an overnight freeze expected on Sunday night with clear skies, but not on Monday night, as clouds roll in on Monday afternoon, which will prevent the heat escaping. Winds are expected to be moderate southeasterly for Sunday and Monday, veering southerly on Tuesday.

Avalanche Summary

Point releases, especially on south facing terrain have been reported from the last few days up to size two. Note, we are currently receiving very little information about this region.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate winds have blown light amounts of new snow into variable wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain, which are starting to bond. Surface snow on sun-exposed slopes is undergoing a daily melt-freeze cycle. In sheltered areas 15-30cm of recent new snow sits on previous surfaces that include crusts (found on all aspects below 1000m and on solar aspects higher up), and old wind slabs. Daytime warming and sun-exposure will cause surface snow to lose cohesion and cornices to weaken. Wet slabs also become a possibility during periods of prolonged warming, especially if there is minimal amounts of overnight freeze.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches are likely on sun exposed slopes during the day.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Large cornices exist in alpine terrain and they may pop off with warmer temperatures and intense solar radiation. A failure could be destructive by itself, and could also trigger an avalanche on the slope below.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Apr 8th, 2012 9:00AM

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