Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 9th, 2017 4:15PM

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

mgrist, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Cornices remain the primary concern. Solar radiation is a common cornice trigger. Limit your exposure when it's cloudy and completely avoid cornices when it's sunny.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Unsettled weather continues throughout the forecast period. MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries (2-5cm). Light southeasterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1400 m.TUESDAY: Scattered flurries (5-10cm) . Light northerly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1200 m.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries (2-5cm). Strong easterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1400 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new reported on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Small amounts of new snow (up to 8cm) fell on Saturday with light to moderate southerly winds. The new snow will likely be sitting on hard surfaces created by strong winds earlier in the week, or melt-freeze crusts below 1400m. A weak layer of facets and crusts from late February are buried 100-120 cm down. The layer has been unreactive recently and has a variable distribution. That said, rapid warming of the snowpack or a large trigger, such as a cornice, may still have the potential to trigger it.

Problems

Cornices

Large cornices may become weak with daytime warming and have potential to trigger slabs on the slopes below.

Even small cornice falls may trigger larger avalanches.Avoid steep slopes below cornices.Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on ridges.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

New snow and moderate southerly winds may have formed thin wind slabs in lee features below ridgetops on Saturday into Sunday.

Approach steep lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 10th, 2017 2:00PM