Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 5th, 2019 3:48PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada mconlan, Avalanche Canada

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Forecast precipitation amounts are highly variable between weather models. The forecast herein assumes approximately 20 cm of snow accumulation by Saturday midday.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm, moderate to strong south wind, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 1200 m.SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm, strong south wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1400 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, light to moderate west wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1500 m.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light southwest wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

Many small avalanches were triggered by skiers and naturally on Thursday, within the recent storm snow. They ranged from slab to loose, occurred on all aspects, and generally at treeline and alpine terrain. The likelihood of triggering avalanches will increase above the snow-rain line due to more stormy conditions this weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Somewhere around 10 and 30 cm of snow is expected in the region Friday night into Saturday. This snow will overly recent storm snow on high-elevation northerly aspects and a melt-freeze crust elsewhere. Below around 1800 m, the snow will fall onto a wet and well-settled snowpack. Snow is melting rapidly at lower elevations.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Snowfall and strong south wind are forecast above around 1400 m. Use caution in lee terrain features, where deposits will be deepest and most reactive. Assess snow amounts and the bond with underlying layers before committing into avalanche terrain.
Watch for quickly changing conditions during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.Expect conditions to change rapidly with elevation.Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 6th, 2019 2:00PM