Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 19th, 2012–Apr 20th, 2012

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

Today will be mostly clear and sunny. Watch for rapid weakening in the snowpack as things warm up. This afternoon, another low pressure will arrive, with 10cm of snow forecasted tonight. This may bump hazard to considerable in the alpine tomorrow.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

This is the first really sunny day for a while. Expect surface sluffing of moist snow, especially on sunny aspects as the day warms up. Snow in shallow rocky areas can warm up even more. Small sluffs can gain mass and speed rapidly.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Wet Slabs

The upper snowpack is now moist and isothermal to 2000m with a series of crusts in the top 90 cm. The crusts provide potential failure plains and good bed surfaces for avalanches. Recent large avalanches have been failing to the ground.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Moderate southerly winds in have created windslabs behind terrain features.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3