Avalanche forecast

South Columbia

Apr 14 – 15, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
No rating
Treeline
No rating
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Spring Conditions. Looks like a typical spring day with a mix of conditions. The sun can be very strong at this time of year; conditions may change rapidly if the sun comes out.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Recent wind slabs may continue to be human triggered on sheltered north aspects in the high alpine. If the sun comes out, wind slabs may release naturally where they are not well bonded to the old crust.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    If the sun comes out, it won’t take long for solar aspects to heat up and result in natural cornice falls.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Loose wet avalanche activity is expected to increase with exposure to strong solar radiation and climbing freezing levels.

Weather Forecast

Mostly cloudy overnight with moderate southwest winds, light precipitation, and freezing levels down to 1000 metres. Mix of sun and cloud on Friday with scattered convective flurries and daytime freezing levels at 2200 metres. A strong ridge develops on Saturday bringing clear skies, light southerly winds and freezing levels up to at least 2500 metres. The ridge gets stronger on Sunday, temperatures and freezing levels sky-rocket to at least 3000 metres.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. Most commercial operations have closed for the season, and data is becoming sparse.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. Forecast wind and snow may bring back a winter feel above treeline for a day or two. Watch for new wind slabs that may not bond to hard old surface crusts. If the sun comes out, conditions may change rapidly and crusts may break down when exposed to strong solar radiation.

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