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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: Sea To Sky.

Spring Conditions. Expect avalanche hazard to increase throughout the day, especially during periods of warm, sunny weather. Always keep overhead hazard at the forefront of your mind and remember that big pieces of terrain can have big consequences.

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY: Freezing level: 1500m, 10-15mm of precipitation, moderate to strong southwesterly ridgetop winds. WEDNESDAY: Freezing level: 1500m, overcast skies with chance of very light precipitation (0-5mm),  light to moderate southerly ridgetop winds. THURSDAY: Freezing level: 1900m, cloudy, light southerly ridgetop winds.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, numerous naturally triggered loose wet and several wet slab avalanches to size 3 were reported on solar aspects at treeline and in the alpine. Additionally, there was a size 3 cornice triggered avalanche on a northeast aspect.

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day, especially on steep, rocky faces.

Avalanche Problems

Cornices

Cornices have a nasty habit of running surprisingly long distances.
Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges. >Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes. >Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 3 - 6

Wet Slabs

Warm temperatures could lead to destructive wet slabs, especially if there is little or no overnight surface refreeze.
Cornice releases have the potential to trigger deeply buried weak layers. Avoid rocky, shallow, and/or steep slopes during the heat of the day. >

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 4 - 7

Loose Wet

Solar radiation in the spring can rapidly change the hazard from low to high. Plan ahead and monitor the effect of solar radiation carefully.
Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet. > Look for signs of surface instabilities such as pinwheeling and point releasing near cliffs. >

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 1 - 4