Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 28th, 2019 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs, Loose Wet and Persistent Slabs.
grant statham,
Parks Canada
Hard to believe we still have three main problems in the snowpack considering its the end of April. Heads up at higher elevations and keep your winter thinking cap on for a few more days this week.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Unsettled weather for the week ahead. Expect on again, off again snow showers with temperatures staying cool and the wind remaining out of the north. These kinds of weather patterns can result in some locally deep accumulations, so pay close attention where you travel.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 40cm of snow fell by Sunday morning with more in eastern areas. Strong winds during the storm did some wind loading, but the storm ended calm and cold. While the new snow should settle rapidly, be suspicious of its bond to the old snow and any facets below. Supportive crusts exist below this new snow on solar aspects and at lower elevations.
Avalanche Summary
Some small storm slabs observed on Saturday. Skier controlled small storm slabs in alpine lee areas reported by the local ski areas during control work on Saturday. No new avalanche activity was observed or reported on Sunday.
Confidence
Problems
Storm Slabs
40 cm of new snow from the storm and wind on Saturday is forming a slab over a variety of old wind slabs, crusts and facets in the alpine. The likelihood of avalanches is on the way down, but will persist for a few more days.
- Use caution in lee areas. Wind loading could create slabs.
- The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Any short spells of sun will quickly moisten the surface snow and produce wet sluffs.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
We have seen some evidence of lingering deeper instabilities in the alpine from various crust and facets layers in April. These have been triggered by cornice falls and wind slabs. Keep checking for these weaknesses in steep alpine features.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 29th, 2019 4:00PM
