Date issued

Apr 25, 2018 - 8:07 AM

Valid until

Apr 26, 2018 - 8:00 AM

Prepared by

ross campbell

Spring Season Conditions

Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Wet

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

Loose wet avalanches can be expected off of solar aspects as daytime warming and direct sunshine destabilize surface layers. These avalanches may step down, triggering persistent and or deep persistent weak layers. Activity will spike later this week

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Plan to finish your tour early.
  • Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Avalanche Problem 2: Cornices

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

Cornices are large and ripe. They will become more prone to failure with daytime warming and solar input.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Avoid travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous solar triggered avalanches, mostly in the size 2.5 range with some notables up to 3.5, generally loose wet in character. The notables were Junction East size 3.5, Puff daddy and Camp West size 2.5. Two older notables are Catamount peak size 3 persistent slab and mounds was a glide avalanche and ran size 3.5. Start early, finish early!!!

Snowpack Summary

Typical spring melt freeze conditions. This morning we had a minimal recovery with temperatures just below zero at Valley bottom and likely less of a recovery higher with an overnight inversion. There may be some dry snow on North aspects above 2400m. Cornices are large and will weaken with the rising temperatures.

Weather Forecast

Mainly sunny today, we might see a few clouds this afternoon. Alpine high of +2, FL will rise to 2500m, winds will be light from the N-NW. Temperatures will rise even higher over the next 2 days as the ridge of high pressure dominates southern BC. The next pulse of precipitation will be on Sat, as a low-pressure system moves in from the SE.

Danger Ratings Explained

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

5 - Extreme

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

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