Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 18th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
DH,
Avalanche Canada
Despite reduced natural avalanche activity, human triggering continues to occur.
Limit your exposure while the new snow settles and bonds.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday a field team was able to easily trigger several small slab avalanches at the interface of Sunday's storm. A few small naturals were also observed in the backcountry.
On Monday a remotely triggered size 2 slab avalanche occurred at Balu pass.
Snowpack Summary
The recent 10cm of new snow is not well bonded to a previous surface crust found on all aspects except high true north. Below this the Apr 9 crust is down 20-40cm (BTL) and Mar 31 crust is down 40-60cm. Both remain reactive in tests.
The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong but the Nov 17 basal weakness can still be found 20-40cm off the ground.
Weather Summary
Calm weather with isolated flurries later in the week and mainly cloudy skies.
Wed: Cloudy no precipitation, Alp high -5 °C, light northwest winds, FZL 1800m
Thurs: Cloudy w/ isolated flurries, Alp high -5 °C, light southwest winds, FZL 1800m
Fri: Cloudy w/ isolated flurries, Alp high -3 °C, light southwest winds, FZL 1900m
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs remain reactive to human triggers. The recent snow arrived with strong winds so expect this problem to be amplified in immediate lee and cross-loaded features and take a few days to bond fully.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Recently formed slabs have been slow to bond to the previous surfaces of suncrust, surface hoar and/or facets. These slabs remain a concern and have shown wide propagation. Storm slabs in motion may step down to these older layers creating large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 19th, 2023 4:00PM
