Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 7th, 2017 4:20PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Cornices, Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada snow safety, Avalanche Canada

It is still possible to trigger larger avalanches in isolated areas,  Careful and  continues evaluation of the snowpack through the day is necessary. 

Summary

Weather Forecast

The majority of the precipitation will tapper Friday night with temperatures expected to cool and freezing levels remaining below 1700m on Saturday. Unsettled weather will continue through the weekend with mostly cloudy skies and periods of precipitation but no significant accumulation.

Snowpack Summary

Over 10cm Friday above 2000m with little wind affect, expect some loading isolated to ridge crest. Rain at lower elevation saturated the snowpack but with cool temps forecasted we expect a good recovery. The deep persistent problem remains in the snowpack with much uncertainty encompassing it. avoidance of large slopes is still recommended.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported today.

Confidence

Problems

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

April is cornice season, and we are getting regular reports of cornices failing. Mature cornices can propagate much further than you expect, so give them a wide margin when traveling on ridges and get up early and hurry if you must travel below them.

  • Avoid travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Persistent weak layers deep in the snowpack continue to cause uncertainty, despite the surface layers being remarkably strong. Continue to avoid exposure to large slopes. Patience is a virtue as we wait for a melt/freeze cycle to change anything.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Wet snow flows like water in gullies during warm spring days, and the next few days we expect wet snow avalanches to be common in gully areas below treeline. Ice climbers - avoid steep low elevation gullies.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 8th, 2017 4:00PM