Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 8th, 2019 3:39PM

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

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

South winds have formed wind slabs that rest on a widespread crust. The best riding and highest danger are expected to overlap on high elevation north facing features. Even a brief appearance of the sun may initiate loose wet activity too.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

A low pressure centre over the Gulf of Alaska continues to produce weak systems that impact the Northwest. The Tuesday Night system has potential to deliver a bit of snow to inland regions, but it is difficult to pin down accurate snowfall amounts at this time, stay tuned for more details.MONDAY NIGHT: Freezing level around 1500 m, light to moderate southwest wind, trace of snow possible.TUESDAY: Scattered cloud cover in the morning building to overcast in the afternoon, freezing level around 1400 m, moderate west wind, 1 to 2 cm of snow possible. Another 1 to 5 cm of snow possible on Tuesday Night.WEDNESDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level rising to around 1000 m, light southwest wind, 1 to 5 cm of snow possibleTHURSDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level climbing to 1500 m, light northerly wind, no significant snowfall expected.

Avalanche Summary

No significant recent avalanche activity to report. If you're out we'd love it if you would submit what you're seeing to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

5 to 20 cm of storm snow now rests on a weak layer buried April 4th which consists of crust, surface hoar and facets. The crust is widespread and up to 4 cm thick. Spotty surface hoar and facets have been reported on top of the crust on high elevation north facing slopes. Light to moderate wind generally out of the south over the weekend may have formed shallow storm slabs that may remain sensitive to human triggering.North facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down 30 to 50 cm below the surface, but this layer has not been recently active and is likely trending towards dormancy.Below treeline the snowpack is isothermal throughout much of the forecast region.

Problems

Wind Slabs

5 to 20 cm of storm snow rests on a widespread crust. Moderate southerly winds have likely formed fresh slabs in high elevation north facing features. Human triggering is most likely immediately lee of ridgecrest.

Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.Fresh snow rests on a widespread crust, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Some filtered sunshine may initiate a loose wet avalanche cycle in the new snow. The likelihood of loose avalanches increases as temperatures warm through the day and/or if the sun comes out for a prolonged period of time.

Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.A moist/wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches all indicate a weakening snowpack.Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 9th, 2019 2:00PM