Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 22nd, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada Dvonk, Avalanche Canada

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Freezing levels are starting to creep up, 2500m today. Reports of ok skiing still being found on polar aspects.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No field teams today.

No avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

15-20 cm snow from last week overlies a variety of surfaces such as wind slabs and melt/freeze crusts. Sheltered areas and polar aspects will provide the best skiing with little wind effect. Be aware of sluffing on solar aspects if the sun comes out. Forecasters continue to track persistent weaknesses down anywhere from 40 to 100cm on polar aspects. These weaknesses are highly variable in nature and travelers should take the time to dig down and evaluate the snowpack frequently. Also, the lingering deep persistent slab problem is still alive and well.

Weather Summary

Sunday will see sunny periods with the possibility of some flurries.

Freezing levels will rise up to 2300m and the winds will be out of the Southwest.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep slopes when air temperatures are warm, or solar radiation is strong.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

The persistent layer is down roughly 100cm. North aspects is where this layer has been most active.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

Shallow snowpack areas are an area of special concern, especially with intense solar radiation and/or daytime heating.

Great evidence of this problem avalanching is easy to find along the spray road right now.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Apr 23rd, 2023 4:00PM