Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 19th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada jsmith, Avalanche Canada

Email

Large persistent slab avalanches may remain possible to human trigger on steep slopes in the alpine.

Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region on Thursday.

Please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

A mix of wind affected and soft snow can be found in the alpine. Sunny aspects have a crust on the surface that may soften with daytime heating.

Numerous large persistent slab avalanches were reported last week on a weak layer of surface hoar down 30 to 70 cm.

Cornices are large and looming at this time of year.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around +3 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Saturday

Sunny. 5 to 10 km/h variable direction ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Sunday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for additional weather information.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Cornice failures could trigger very large and destructive avalanches.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Weak layers of facets and/or surface hoar are buried 30 to 70 cm deep. They are most prominent on alpine features sheltered from the wind.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Naturally triggered wet loose avalanches may occur in steep terrain during the heat of the day. Cornices also weaken and could release naturally. These could step-down to deeper layers, resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 20th, 2024 4:00PM

Login