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Avalanche Bulletin - South Columbia
Avalanche Bulletin - South Columbia
Date Issued:
Valid Until:
Forecaster:TRettie
Carefully assess the wind slab hazard as you gain elevation. New wind slabs could form throughout the day.
| Mon, 25 Apr | Tue, 26 Apr | Wed, 27 Apr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine | 2 Moderate | 2 Moderate | 2 Moderate |
| Treeline | 1 Low | 2 Moderate | 2 Moderate |
| Below Treeline | 1 Low | 1 Low | 1 Low |
- The snowpack structure is generally well understood.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
Cornice
Cornices may be weak and reactive to human triggers. Give them a wide berth when travelling on ridges. They are a significant hazard alone and may produce large slab avalanches as they fall onto the slope below. Cornice falls are more likely when the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.
Wind Slab
New wind slabs could form in the alpine.
Forecast Details
Avalanche Summary
Natural wet loose avalanches up to size two have been observed on all aspects and elevations except high north facing terrain. We suspect that this kind of avalanche activity will continue due to warm temps.
Snowpack Summary
Dry snow and pockets of wind slab can still be found on high north facing terrain. Several crusts exist on solar aspects extending to mountain tops. Moist snow will likely be observed at treeline and below.
Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy. The snowpack deteriorates rapidly at lower elevations.
Weather Forecast
Sunday night: No new snow expected. Freezing level falling to 1300 m. Moderate south wind.
Monday: Cloudy with light flurries bringing up to 10 cm of new snow at higher elevations. Moderate south winds and freezing levels rising to 2400 m.
Tuesday: stormy with 10 to 20 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations. Light to moderate southwest winds and freezing levels around 1800 m.
Wednesday: Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations. Light to moderate southwest winds and freezing levels around 1700 m.