Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 15th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs, Cornices and Loose Wet.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Avoid wind loaded terrain. Large avalanches are possible in wind loaded features and there are concerns of remote triggering and cornice failures.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Earlier in the week several remotely triggered storm and wind slabs were reported. these avalanches typically occurred between 2000 and 2300 m and on a variety of aspects. A layer of facets and/or a crust down around 60 cm is likely responsible. Check out this MIN for an example of these avalanches.
No significant avalanches were reported on Thursday but observations are limited this time of year.
If you are venturing into the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.
Snowpack Summary
New snow accompanied by southerly winds will overlie a crust at treeline and below. In the alpine this new snow will fall on a variety of surfaces including dry snow and wind slab on the north and crust and wind pressed surfaces on the south.
A layer of facets and a crust from early April can be found down up to 60 cm at treeline and above.
The base of the snowpack remains faceted and weak. Avalanche activity has not been observed on this layer recently but concern remains for shallow rocky snowpack areas.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected. Strong southerly winds and freezing level around 1500 m.
Sunday
Stormy with around 10 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations. Moderate to strong southerly winds and freezing levels rising to 1900 m with the snowline around 1600 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected. Moderate southeast winds and a high of -2°C at 1800 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow possible. Light to moderate southerly winds and a High of -5°C at 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
- Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Ongoing snowfall and southerly winds will form reactive storm slab. The largest and most sensitive will be found on wind loaded features on west through east aspects. A layer of facets and a crust down 60 could result in larger slab avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
New snow accompanied by southerly wind will add to cornices increasing the likelihood of them failing naturally.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
At lower elevations, where rain is possible, wet loose avalanches could occur on steep slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 16th, 2023 4:00PM
