Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 6th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Wet and Cornices.

Jeff Andrews,

Jasper.

Recent wind slab and cornice activity noted up to size 2. Rising freezing level and incoming precipitation will increase the hazard Thursday and Friday. Expect road closures on Hwy 93 and Maligne Road on Friday - 511 for updates.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Thursday - mix of sun and cloud with freezing level rising to 2200m; winds light to moderate SW. Expecting little recovery overnight with freezing level falling to 1500m then back to 2200m on Friday. Friday will see flurries with mixed precip and rain possible at lower elevations up to 12mm. Mix of sun and cloud and a cooling into the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong SW winds have redistributed recent snow (up to 15cm Icefields area) into lee features in the alpine and down into treeline. The freezing level is forecast to reach 2200m Thursday with little to no recovery. There is a sun crust high into the alpine on solar aspects and and melt freeze crust up to 2200m. Midpack is well settled.

Avalanche Summary

One size 1.5 windslab observed on Indian ridge NE aspect alpine; 2 size 2 cornice failures that triggered wind slab below 30-50cm deep E aspect alpine K2 feature at the icefields.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong SW winds created fresh wind slabs. These new wind slabs sit over a variety of firm surfaces including wind effected snow and sun/temperature crusts.

Watch for stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.
Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Main concern during the heat of the day with strong solar input.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.
Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Cornices

Fresh cornices are proving to be reactive with strong solar input and recent growth.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3.5

Valid until: Apr 7th, 2022 4:00PM