Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 4th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Dry.

Avalanche Canada CG, Avalanche Canada

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Glacier.

Spring-time conditions change rapidly, so have a few options planned for the day.

Intense solar radiation will increase avalanche danger on sunny slopes, while convective storms can locally puke 10-20cm in a few hours, making dreamy pow runs on polar aspects.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A cornice failure from above caught a person on Cheops N 1 today, knocking them downslope ~300m.

A field team around Lookout Col/Ravens area was able to ski cut loose surface sluffs to sz 0.5 in steep terrain.

On Monday, several soft slabs to sz 2 were observed running from steep N-facing terrain on Macdonald.

Snowpack Summary

15-20cm of settled snow is covering a solid crust on solar aspects and old powder on polar aspects.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally strong. However, the basal weakness from November can still be found near the ground in many locations. This layer will remain a concern until the end of the season.

Weather Summary

A clearing Wed/Thurs will give way to more convective flurries Fri/Sat.

Tonight: Clearing, Alp low -10*C, light W wind, FZL valley bottom

Wed: Sun and cloud, Alp high -6*C, light SW wind, 1500m FZL

Thurs: Sun/cloud/isolated flurries, 5cm, Alp high -2*C, light S wind, 1800m FZL

Fri: Flurries, 10cm, Alp high -1*C, gusty mod S winds, 1900m FZL

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Problems

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

Small, loose avalanches can be harmful if they push you over a cliff or into a terrain trap. Manage your sluff accordingly; don't let it steer you into something you're trying to avoid!

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 5th, 2023 4:00PM

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