Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 12th, 2015–Apr 13th, 2015

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

Regions

South Rockies.

There is little or no new information about snow and avalanche conditions in the region. Check out this blog post for more information on a cool and snowy spring scenario.

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Monday: Increasing cloud. The freezing level bumps up to 2200 m. Winds are moderate gusting strong from the S-SW. Tuesday: Cloudy with flurries – 3-6 cm. The freezing level lowers to 1600 m and winds remain strong from the W-SW. Wednesday: Flurries ending early then a mix of sun and cloud. The freezing level rises to 2000 m and winds are moderate from the west.

Avalanche Summary

A couple size 1-1.5 loose snow slides were reported from neighbouring regions on Saturday. Observations are becoming more limited as we enter into spring. If you're out in the mountains, please consider posting your observations to our webpage using the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust on higher shady slopes, while melt-freeze conditions are more likely on sun-exposed and lower elevation slopes. Moderate and gusty winds have created fresh wind slabs in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.