Avalanche forecast

South Columbia

Apr 10 – 11, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
No rating
Treeline
No rating
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Spring conditions. Avalanche danger is expected to rise during the day due to continued high freezing levels and periods of strong solar radiation. Plan to travel early and monitor crusts carefully as conditions may change rapidly.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–4
    Natural cornice falls continue to be a concern during periods of strong solar and high freezing levels.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Loose wet avalanche activity may continue on slopes that are exposed to strong solar radiation. Below treeline all aspects are suspect during periods of high freezing levels, the likelihood will increase if we get some rain.

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    3–6
    The potential exists for large and destructive wet slabs when the sun is strong and temperatures are high, especially if there was little or no overnight refreeze.

Weather Forecast

Mostly clear overnight with light winds. Cloud developing during the day on Monday with freezing levels at 2500 metres. Light to moderate southwest winds on Tuesday with mostly cloudy skies and some light precipitation and freezing levels at 2200 metres. Freezing levels dropping to 1500 metres on Wednesday with 5-10 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations.

Avalanche Summary

One natural cornice fall size 2.0 was reported on Saturday. Most commercial operations have closed for the season, and data is becoming sparse.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. A moist/wet, isothermal, and rapidly melting snowpack exists on all aspects below around 1500 m and probably even higher on solar aspects. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. 

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