Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Apr 13 – 14, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Be aware that SOUTH and WEST facing slopes will destabilize with direct radiation from the sunny weather. Loose wet sluffs are likely in the afternoon.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Variable winds have built windslabs in unusual locations. They are susceptible to human triggering in steep terrain.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–5

Confidence

Poor - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Sunday: Expect a mix of sun and cloud with alpine temperatures reaching -8 and freezing levels around 900m. Winds should be light from the East.Monday/Tuesday: Lots of sunny skies with alpine temperatures reaching -8 in the afternoons and winds turning from easterly to southeasterly, but remaining light.

Avalanche Summary

No new information from the region.

Snowpack Summary

15-35cm of recent snow is generally bonding well to the previous snow surface, which includes a crust, facets and/or surface hoar. Warm afternoon temperatures have moistened the surface snow on all but the highest and most sheltered slopes. Previous strong westerly winds created widespread hard and soft wind slabs in exposed areas, which have been reactive to human triggers on steep wind-loaded rolls. These slabs are now lightly buried. Below treeline, the surface snow is undergoing daily melt-freeze cycles with the upper meter becoming wet and losing cohesion by mid-afternoon. Concerns remain for a patchy persistent weakness buried a month ago, and deeper in the snowpack, basal facets may become a concern with continued mild temperatures. Cornices are well-developed and could easily become unstable during periods of warm weather or direct solar radiation.

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