Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 21st, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.
mconlan,
Avalanche Canada
We are getting back into a seasonal spring trend with cool nights, warm days, and highly variable snow conditions with elevation and aspect changes. Be on the lookout for signs that suggest unstable snow.
Summary
Confidence
High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall in the north of the region, accumulation 2 to 5 cm with local enhancements possible, 10 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C.
FRIDAY: Cloudy with snowfall in the north and mix of sun and cloud in the south, accumulation 1 to 3 cm with local enhancements possible, 10 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level rising to 2000 m.
SATURDAY: Partly cloudy with afternoon isolated flurries, accumulation trace to 5 cm, 10 km/h northwest wind, alpine temperature 0 C, overnight freeze and daytime freezing level rising to 2300 m.
SUNDAY: Clear skies with no precipitation, 10 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature 1 C, overnight freeze and daytime freezing level rising to 2400 m.
Avalanche Summary
Wednesday saw small storm slab avalanches triggered in the west of the region at alpine terrain on north to east aspects, where they received up to 40 cm of recent snow. Otherwise, wet loose avalanches were triggered during the heat of the day.
Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network to supplement our data stream and help fellow recreationists.
Snowpack Summary
Around 10 to 20 cm of snow accumulated since Tuesday in most of the region with local amounts up to 40 cm in the deeper areas in the west. Locally deeper deposits may be found in lee terrain on shaded slopes at treeline and alpine elevations from southwest wind. Sun has moistened the snow on sun-exposed slopes. A consolidated and moist snowpack exists below treeline. At ridge top, remember that cornices are large and looming at this time of year.
Around 100 to 200 cm deep, faceted grains persist around a hard melt-freeze crust from early December. There's uncertainty on if and when this layer will wake up, but it could during the next intense or prolonged warm-up.
Terrain and Travel
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Use caution entering steep, lee terrain features below ridges, where wind slabs could be found.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are large and fragile. The likelihood of them failing increases with each day of warming. Any release could be catastrophic.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 22nd, 2022 4:00PM
