Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 12th, 2019 4:29PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
jsmith,
Avalanche Canada
A brief return to winter! 10-20cm of new snow, strong winds, and low freezing levels are forecast to create fresh storm slabs reactive to human triggers by the end of day Saturday. Hazard may be lower in areas that receive less than 15 cm of snow.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT: Increasing cloudiness / Moderate, southwesterly winds / Alpine low -2 C / Freezing level 1000 m.SATURDAY: Snow; 10-20 cm. (rain below roughly 1000 m.) / Strong, southwesterly winds / Alpine high -1 C / Freezing level 1200 m.SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy / Light, southwesterly winds / Alpine high -1 C / Freezing level 1100 m.MONDAY: Mostly cloudy / Light, southwesterly winds / Alpine high 0 C / Freezing level 1300 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday, there were numerous small (size 1) skier triggered storm slabs reported on primarily northerly aspects below ridgetops near Whistler. Avalanche activity is expected to increase on Saturday with the forecast snow and wind.On Monday, four skier-triggered storm slab avalanches (size 1.5-2) in the Whistler backcountry were reported on north facing aspects below alpine ridgetops, including this Decker Main MIN report here.
Snowpack Summary
Currently, the snowpack structure changes dramatically with elevation and aspect. 15-30 cm. of recent storm snow (amounts tapering with elevation) is sitting on a melt/freeze crust, except for north facing terrain above 2000 m. where the old snow surface remained dry and small surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) may be present in isolated locations. This recent snow has been affected by the sun and re-distributed by southerly winds, forming wind slabs on lee features below ridgetops.Below roughly 1900 m, the snowpack is moist and is melting rapidly at lower elevations. Check out this useful link for managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions HERE.
Problems
Storm Slabs
10-20 cm of new snow, strong winds, and low freezing levels are forecast to create fresh storm slabs reactive to human triggers by the end of day Saturday.
Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.Pay attention to changing conditions with elevation/aspect.Use small slopes without consequence to test the bond of the new snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 13th, 2019 2:00PM
