Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Apr 14 – 15, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

There is limited information from the region, so this forecast is based primarily on remote telemetry and weather forecasts.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–5
    Cornices are large and become fragile with large temperature swings common in the spring.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Surface snow on South and West slopes will destabilize if the sun comes out.

Confidence

Poor - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Monday: Expect mostly clear skies with alpine temperatures reaching -8 and freezing levels climbing to 1000m. Winds should be light from the east. There is a chance of clouds and convective snowshowers late in the day.Tuesday: Skies should be clear in the morning, with clouds building through the day. Alpine temperatures and freezing levels should reach -6 and 1100m. Light snow may begin late in the day as winds turn southerly.Wednesday: Expect mostly cloudy skies, with intermittent light snowfall. Temperatures should be around -6 with light to moderate southwest winds.

Avalanche Summary

Isolated reports of natural and rider triggered avalanches to size 1.5; slabs on east aspects and loose sluffs on south aspects.

Snowpack Summary

15-35cm of recent snow is generally bonding well to the previous snow surface, which includes crusts, facets and/or surface hoar (very isolated locations). 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 and these slabs are now lightly buried. They have become stubborn to react to human triggers but may still be triggered by large loads such as a cornice fall. Below treeline, the surface snow is undergoing daily melt-freeze cycles with the upper meter of snow 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 have grown with the recent isolated storms.

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