Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 6th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada PW, Avalanche Canada

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There has been continued avalanche activity on the deep persistent layers in this region, a problem which is not going away anytime soon.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Strong winds in the last 48h have created wind slabs in lee features, with ski hills reporting natural activity to size 1-1.5 out of extreme terrain. There have also been multiple remote triggered avalanches, running on the basal facets in recent days, up to size 3.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slab development and reactivity has been reported by both Sunshine and Lake Louise with the increase in the winds out of the SW. Up to 15cm of storm snow buries sun crusts to ridgetop and temperature crusts below 1500m. The snowpack in this area is much thinner and weaker overall than the rest of the regions. The January sun crust and facet interface is down 40 to 80cm. The November depth hoar at the base of the snowpack remains very weak.

Weather Summary

On Friday, cloudy skies and flurries are expected throughout the region. Snowfall amounts are not forecast to be more than 5 cm as precipitation rates will likely increase through the afternoon. Winds at ridgetop are expected to be in the strong range, blowing out of the south west. Freezing levels will reach 2000m-2300m and the alpine high is forecast to hit +2C.

Saturday should see the front move through and flurries will tapering through the day. Temperatures are expected to be slightly cooler, as the forecast alpine high is 0C.

For a detailed weather forecast click here.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

The November basal facets as well as midpack facets on crusts remain a concern for triggering. Snowpack tests continue to produce moderate to hard sudden collapse results. These weak layers are very pronounced in this region.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Apr 7th, 2023 4:00PM

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