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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 11th, 2016–Apr 12th, 2016
Alpine
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold
Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold
Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold
Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Regions: Glacier.

Spring skiing is here. Early starts and early finishes are crucial to playing safe! Although supportive in the morning, the upper snowpack is moist and will breakdown quickly with daytime warming.

Weather Forecast

Another glorious morning at Rogers Pass that promises to be a beauty day.  Mostly sunny this morning with clouds building this afternoon with the potential for isolated showers. Freezing levels up to 2300m with SW ridge wind 15kph gusting to 40.A temperature inversion is in place and temps were well above freezing all night in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

We experienced a solid freeze in the valley bottom overnight but a temp inversion kept the alpine temps above zero overnight. The clear windy night will have created a thin surface crust but this will break down quickly with daytime heating & sun. Recent winds have likely redistributed remaining dry snow in the alpine leaving touchy wind slabs

Avalanche Summary

We have been experiencing regular natural avalanche cycles in the afternoon associated with daytime warming and the strong effects of the sun. Avalanches have been in the sz 1.5 - 2.5 range and either loose or wet slab releases. Sporadic glide crack releases have been witnessed every few days and are destructive and tricky to forecast.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

It doesn't take long for the strong solar and very warm temps to break down the weak surface crust. Loose wet avalanches are expected.  Be especially careful in terrain traps below treeline where even a small slide could bury or push you around.
Avoid exposure to solar aspects overhead, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wet Slabs

Strong solar input and daytime warming have created a wet slab problem. These slabs can be triggered from loose point releases or they can fail seemingly unprompted in the form of a large glide release.  Avoid overhead exposure to glide cracks!
Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls Avoid lingering in runout zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 4

Cornices

Cornices along ridges will be weakened by the strong sun and warm temps. Serac fall has also been observed recently. Pieces of cornice or ice tumbling down are concerns in their own right, but these can trigger larger avalanches once on the slope. 
Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3