Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 9th, 2017 4:33PM

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

mgrist, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Cornices remain the primary concern. Solar radiation is a common cornice trigger. Limit your exposure when it's cloudy and completely avoid cornices when it's sunny.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Unsettled weather continues throughout the forecast period. MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries (2-5cm). Light southeasterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1500 m.TUESDAY: Scattered flurries (5-10cm). Light northerly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1400 m.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries (2-5cm). Strong easterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1400 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new reported on Friday or Saturday.On Thursday several natural cornice releases (to Size 2.5) were reported in the north of the region.

Snowpack Summary

Small amounts of new snow (3-5cm) fell on Saturday. Winds were light to moderate (south through northeast) and may have created small wind slabs on lee features below alpine ridgetops. The new snow will likely be sitting on hard surfaces created by strong winds earlier in the week. Elevations below roughly 1300 m are experiencing a daily melt-freeze cycle and the snowpack is likely isothermal. The February crust and facet layer is 70-90 cm deep in the Houston Telkwas sled area and a deep persistent faceted weak layer is still lingering near the bottom of the snowpack in all areas.

Problems

Cornices

Solar radiation is a common cornice trigger. Limit your exposure when it's cloudy and completely avoid cornices when it's sunny.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.Minimize exposure to overhead hazard from cornices.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

New snow and wind on Saturday into Sunday may have created small wind slabs in lee features below alpine ridgetops.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Approach steep lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 10th, 2017 2:00PM