Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 12th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jsmith, Avalanche Canada

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Warm temperatures and strong solar radiation have settled up to 30 cm of recent snow into a reactive slab in the alpine.

Stay alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few naturally triggered wind slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported on northerly aspects below ridgecrests on Thursday.

A rider triggered size 1.5 storm slab avalanche was also reported on a northeast aspect in the alpine on Wednesday.

If you are getting out into the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network).

Snowpack Summary

3 to 10 cm of new snow sits on a thin crust everywhere except north facing aspects at upper elevations where the recent snow remained dry. Southerly wind may have formed wind slabs on lee features below ridgetops.

Up to 30 cm of recent snow can be found at upper elevations and is settling rapidly with intense solar radiation and warm temperatures.

The recent snow sits above a crust in most areas. The exception is on northerly aspects above 2000 m where it overlies dry snow.

Expect difficult travel at lower elevations with thin snow coverage.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Saturday

Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2100 m.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 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 alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Warm temperatures and strong solar radiation have settled up to 30 cm of recent snow into a reactive slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 13th, 2024 4:00PM