Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Apr 3 – 4, 2021Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Wet loose avalanches are likely if the sun comes out. Avoid large south facing slopes and slopes with cornices overhead during the heat of the day.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers. Use caution when transitioning into wind affected terrain.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Cornices are large and looming along many ridgelines, and have likely grown with the recent wind. They are capable of triggering large avalanches when they fail.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Sunshine may trigger wet loose avalanches on steep solar aspects.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

  

SATURDAY NIGHT: Clearing skies with isolated flurries; 3-10 cm. / Light, northwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -10 / Freezing level valley bottom.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny / Light, northwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 0 / Freezing level 900 m.

MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Strong, northwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 2 / Freezing level 1100 m.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with flurries/showers; 3-5 cm. / Moderate, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 0 / Freezing level 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were reported in this region on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Small wind slabs formed by light amounts of recent snow and southwesterly winds may linger below alpine ridgetops. A firm crust exists at lower elevations. Sunshine may trigger wet loose avalanches on solar aspects. Cornices are large, looming, and capable of triggering large avalanches when they fail.

Buried 70-120 cm. deep, a spotty layer of surface hoar may exist on sheltered north aspects, but no recent avalanches have been reported on this layer.

The lower snowpack is reported as well settled and strong in most areas. However, weak facets exist at the base of the snowpack in the more shallow snowpack zones within much of the region and have the potential to be triggered on steep, rocky slopes with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack; especially with large loads such as a cornice fall.

Terrain and Travel

  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.

Regions covered