Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 4th, 2012–Apr 5th, 2012

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

Regions

South Rockies.

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

The storm on Wednesday was a little bit slower and a little further west than originally forecast. Heavy precipitation is forecast for Wednesday evening and overnight into Thursday morning, bringing about 20 mm of precipitation. The wind is forecast to be about 70km/Hr out of the south-southeast tonight at ridgetops. As the freezing level drops tonight, the precipitation could become up to about 30 cm of snow at higher elevations. The storm is expected to move east into Alberta by Thursday noon. A ridge of high pressure is expected to move into the region by Friday bringing clear skies and light winds with freezing levels rising to about 1400 metres during the day.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. Expect avalanche activity to increase with forecast new snow and wind.

Snowpack Summary

There was a good re-freeze reported from Monday night and again on Tuesday night, that has resulted in a supportive melt-freeze crust on all aspects up to about 2200 metres. North aspetcs may be dry down to about 2000 metres in some areas. Southerly aspects became moist in the alpine on Tuesday, but snowballing and wet point releases were limited to size 1.0. Forecast new snow and strong winds are expected to create new windslabs and add a new load to storm slabs. Deep weak layers may continue to be triggered by large loads like cornice falls or storm slab avalanches.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.

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.