Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 13th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.
Jeff Andrews,
Generally safe avalanche conditions still require terrain management. Cornices are mature and unpredictable - continue to give them a wide berth during this time of low hazard.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Building cloud on Thursday with the potential for trace amount of precipitation - winds light from the east. Friday may see additional flurries up to 6cm; flurries continue into Saturday with up to 8cm and continued light winds. Freezing level to remain at valley bottom with temperatures warming back to seasonal into the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
Previous moderate north winds have created isolated wind slabs and reverse loading in wind prone areas. Marmot ski area reports these new slabs are bonding well to the previous surface. On solar aspects a 3cm sun crust exist up to 2400m under 10-15cm of snow. Likewise a 5cm melt-freeze crust exists up to 2200m on all aspects down 10cm.
Avalanche Summary
Cornice triggered size 2 wind slab observed on Pyramid Wednesday - south patrol noted no new activity. On Tuesday two natural cornice falls were observed on the Churchill range. These cornices did not trigger slabs below. Also a small natural wind slab was observed around the Parker Ridge Area.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday
Problems
Wind Slabs
Expect isolated wind slabs in the alpine - be mindful of this problem especially when exposed to high consequence terrain.
- Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by N-NE winds.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Fresh cornice falls were observed on Tuesday in the Churchill Range. This could be the result of strong solar input, fresh winds and new snow and the cold temperatures making them brittle.
- Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.
- Minimize exposure to corniced features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 14th, 2022 4:00PM
