Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 25th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

Watch for heightened avalanche conditions as you climb to elevations where recent snow has accumulated.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with light flurries and up to 5 cm of snow above 1000 m, 20-40 km/h wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures around -3 C.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy, scattered flurries in the morning with 5-10 cm of snow above 800 m, light wind from the south, treeline temperatures around -2 C.

WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, isolated flurries with trace amounts of snow above 700 m, light wind from the south, treeline temperatures reach -1 C.

THURSDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods, scattered flurries bring 5-10 cm of snow, light wind, treeline temperatures around 0 C.

Avalanche Summary

We have no recent avalanche observations, but based on the weather we suspect wind slabs have formed in alpine terrain and that the fresh snow could release as wet loose avalanches when the sun comes out.

Snowpack Summary

Winter conditions persist at upper elevations, with stormy weather between Sunday and Tuesday bringing 20 to 40 cm of snow above 1000 m. Cool temperatures over the next few days should keep this snow dry, while sun-exposed slopes and lower elevations will likely turn moist or crusty. The lower snowpack is strong under the current cool weather, but large looming cornices remain a concern this time of year.

Terrain and Travel

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • 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.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Unsettled weather between Sunday and Tuesday will deliver 20 to 40 cm of snow at upper elevations. This will leave the potential for wind slab avalanches on north and west facing slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Periods of sun could trigger wet loose avalanches in steep terrain.

Aspects: South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 28th, 2022 4:00PM