Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 5th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.
TT,
Avalanche Canada
Start thinking spring like conditions. Avalanche hazard rating is for the the afternoon heat of the day. Good skiing and fast travel is out there to be had.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Loose wet natural avalanche activity observed around the Icefields Parkway on solar aspects at tree line and below in the afternoon. One natural wind slab observed in north facing steep alpine feature off of Destiny ridge.
Snowpack Summary
5-10cm of new snow last week arrived with strong to extreme winds building winds slabs at treeline and above. A total of 20-40cm of snow now sits over the March 19th crust which is present everywhere except North aspects above 1900m. Solar aspects have multiple crusts within the upper 30 cm. The Feb 3rd crust interface is down 30-90cm. Basal depth hoar and facets make up the bottom of the snowpack. HS ranges from 50 to 150cm.
Weather Summary
Saturday: Cloudy with scattered flurries. Accumulation: 4 cm. Alpine temp: High -2 °C. Ridge wind light to 20 km/h. Freezing level: 2100 m.Sunday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temp: Low -7 °C, High -4 °C. Ridge wind west: 15-30 km/h. Freezing level: 1800 m. Mountain Weather Forecast is available @ Avalanche Canada https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs can be found in isolated locations in the alpine, if triggered they could step down to the persistent slab.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This problem seems to be most active where the March 19th crust is not supportive over the Feb 3rd weak layer (down 30-90cm) of facets over a crust. Northerly aspects between 1900-2400m seem to be the problem area.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Spring sun is kicking a punch even through the clouds. Keep an eye out for changing surface snow conditions with different aspect and elevation.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 6th, 2024 4:00PM
