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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 21st, 2022–Apr 22nd, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Rockies.

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.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy with no precipitation, 10 to 20 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -4 C.

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, 10 km/h northwest wind, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level rising to 2200 m.

SATURDAY: Early-morning snowfall then mix of sun and cloud, accumulation 2 to 10 cm with local enhancements possible, 10 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature 2 C, overnight freeze and daytime freezing level rising to 2300 m.

SUNDAY: Mostly clear skies with no precipitation, 10 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature 3 C, overnight freeze and daytime freezing level rising to 2400 m.

Avalanche Summary

We have not received reports of avalanche observations in the past few days.

Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network to supplement our data stream and help fellow recreationists.

Snowpack Summary

Around 5 to 10 cm of snow rests on hard snow or a melt-freeze crust, with locally thicker amounts in lee terrain from strong southwest wind. Below treeline and on sun-exposed slopes, a moist and consolidated snowpack exists. Remember that cornices are large and looming at this time of year.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong, consisting of hard snow and various melt-freeze crusts.

Terrain and Travel

  • Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.