Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 9th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada CB, Avalanche Canada

Email

Watch for changing conditions on solar aspects on Wednesday, the sun packs a punch this time of year.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Small spin drifts and loose dry avalanches out of steep alpine terrain were observed in the icefields area on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10cm of new snow has been redistributed by South to SW winds in the Alpine. Solar slopes and all aspects at tree line and below have a plethora of crusts in the upper snow pack. The Feb 3 PWL is down 40-100cm and remains a concern on shaded aspects above 2400m . The basal depth hoar/facets are gaining strength in deeper snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Mountain Weather Forecast is available @ Avalanche Canada https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Watch for point-release avalanches starting in the new snow on steep sun facing slopes.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New wind slabs forming on previous hard surfaces (sun crusts and old wind slabs) will likely need some time to bond.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

This problem seems to be most active where the March 19th crust is not supportive over the Feb 3rd weak layer (down 30-90cm) of facets over a crust.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Apr 10th, 2024 4:00PM

Login