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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 13th, 2022–Apr 14th, 2022

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

Regions

South Rockies.

Continue to watch for reactive wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain, especially along the eastern slopes of the region which have received recent snow accumulation. Reverse loading by easterly winds means wind slabs may have formed in unusual places.

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy, light east wind, treeline low around -15 °C.

Thursday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks, light east wind, treeline high around -10 °C.

Friday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks, light variable wind, treeline high around -6 °C.

Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate east wind, treeline high around -4 °C.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported over the past few days in the region. 

On Tuesday in the neighbouring Flathead area, the Avalanche Canada field team reported a few natural size 1-1.5 wind slabs in steep leeward features in the alpine. 

Observations are very limited this time of year. If you are getting out in the backcountry, please consider contributing to the Mountain Information Network.  

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of aging storm snow has buried a widespread melt-freeze crust which formed during the major warming event on April 8. Most recently, eastern upslope areas of the region have seen a few centimetres of snow flurries accumulating each day from the storm system currently impacting the prairies. Recent periods of strong wind from the northeast through southeast are expected to have redistributed the recent snowfall in exposed high elevation terrain forming small wind slabs. 

The middle and lower snowpack are currently well settled and strong.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.