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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 5th, 2013–Apr 6th, 2013

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Little Yoho.

Wait until freezing levels drop before going into bigger terrain.  SH

Weather Forecast

Little to no freeze expected below 1800-1900m.  Up to 10cm of new snow expected in the alpine Saturday afternoon/night. Expect some rain West of the divide Saturday.  We should see decreasing freezing levels Sunday and Monday mornings to valley bottom. 

Snowpack Summary

5-15 cm of new, dense snow sits over sun crusts on most aspects except true north. Rain showers, overcast skies, and the insulating aspect of the new snow brought no overnight recovery below 2000m Friday.  We can expect the same on Saturday.

Avalanche Summary

Sunshine Village was reporting very touchy storm slabs in most alpine areas 15-30cm thick. One size 3 natural on Mount Stephen occurred within the last 24 hours on a North aspect.  Due to poor visibility it is unknown how far up the peak it started from. Click here for a photo.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Saturday

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Wet Slabs

Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.