North Columbia Avalanche Forecast

Date/Time issued: Thursday, April 09, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Valid until: Sunday, April 12, 2009 at 4:00 PM

Next Scheduled Update: Friday, April 10, 2009

---------- Monashees & Selkirks ----------
  				Friday 			Saturday 		Sunday
Alpine 			2 - MODERATE 	2 - MODERATE 	2 - MODERATE
Treeline 		2 - MODERATE 	1 - LOW 		2 - MODERATE
Below Treeline 	1 - LOW 		1 - LOW 		2 - MODERATE

Confidence: Fair. Snowpack and avalanche observations provided to the CAC are dwindling each 
day as spring progresses and avalanche safety operations close for the season.

Primary Concerns:

    * Persistent Slab: Deep instabilities persist. Trigger points across the terrain are 
	  isolated, but it is important to remember that large and dangerous avalanches remain 
	  possible to trigger.

Travel Advisory   Issued: Thu, Apr 9 Next Scheduled Update: Fri, Apr 10

Spring time brings wide swings in temperature with sun or cloud which often directly effects 
the avalanche danger. We feel the avalanche danger is mostly Moderate or Low due to cooling 
temperatures and cloud cover, but if the sun comes out for more than a few hours the danger 
may rise to Considerable. If the suface snow loosens up, extensive snowballing and point release 
avalanches happen, that may be a good time to pull the pin and head back to the truck.

It is important to point out that a Moderate or Low danger does not mean that you cannot trigger 
an avalanche. The danger ratings indicate that the avalanche dragon has egressed into very steep, 
more gnarly types of terrain. It also means that a deep instability lurks and should be considered 
even though cooler temperatures are sending it into dormancy. The message here is, weaknesses 
within the snowpack still have the capability to bite back hard if you are pushing the terrain. 
Navigating more intense terrain takes spot on decisions. This takes experience and a keen eye for 
safe terrain selection.

Avalanche Activity   Issued: Thu, Apr 9 Next Scheduled Update: Fri, Apr 10

Avalanche activity should continue to decrease due to increasing cloud cover and cooling 
temperatures. Triggering avalanches remains a possibility on high elevation northerly facing 
slopes that have trigger point areas like a thin snow cover over rock, terrain with breakovers, 
or areas near rocks protruding from the snowpack.

Snowpack   Issued: Thu, Apr 9 Next Scheduled Update: Fri, Apr 10

Intense heat on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and cooling temperatures Thursday and Friday is 
continuing to settle and strengthen the upper portion of the snowpack. Near the base of the 
snowpack weak sugary snow remains intact. Concern remains for isolated large avalanches being 
triggered on this layer. On southerly facing slopes the heat has caused the upper 30-50cm to 
become moist or wet. This snow is refreezing, except at below treeline elevations.

Weather   Issued: Thu, Apr 9 Next Scheduled Update: Fri, Apr 10

Friday: Mostly cloudy or cloudy skies are forecast. Freezing level rising to near 2000m. There 
is chance of light snow in the north end of the forecast area. Light southerly wind.
Saturday: Overcast and freezing levels near 1800m. Chance of light snow. Light southerly wind.
Sunday: A ridge of high pressure builds bringing sunny skies.

Issued by: Greg Johnson