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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 10th, 2013–Apr 11th, 2013

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Purcells.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Light snow. Moderate to strong W winds. Freezing level around 1600 m. Friday: Moderate snow, mainly in the afternoon. Moderate to strong SW winds. Freezing level around 1500 m.Saturday: Light to moderate snow. Light W winds. Freezing level around 1700 m.

Avalanche Summary

Most of the recent avalanche activity has been on high elevation north aspects. Natural and human-triggered (including remotely triggered) slabs failed on surface hoar or storm snow weaknesses during and after last weekend’s storm. A natural avalanche cycle is expected to have occurred on Wednesday, but so far we have no reports from the field.

Snowpack Summary

Additional storm snow has added to an existing storm slab problem above about 2000 m. Winds from the SW through to NW are likely to have created new wind slabs and added to cornices. A buried surface hoar interface is now buried within the upper metre or so of the snowpack, mainly on high-elevation northerly aspects. It may be slowly gaining some strength, but these slopes should still be treated with suspicion. At lower elevations, rain-soaked snow may be weak when wet.Our stream of snowpack and avalanche observations is diminishing as operators are starting to shut up shop for the season. If you’re out and about, please let us know what you are seeing: [email protected] Thanks!

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.