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 Cornices and Wind Slabs.
shorton,
Avalanche Canada
Heightened avalanche conditions exist in alpine terrain due to lingering wind slabs and large cornices.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, no precipitation, 20 km/h wind from the northeast, treeline temperatures drop to -15 C.
THURSDAY: Mostly sunny in the morning with increasing cloud in the afternoon, no precipitation, 20 km/h wind from the northeast, treeline temperatures warm to -10 C.
FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind, treeline temperatures warm to -8 C.
SATURDAY: Mostly sunny, light wind, treeline temperatures warm to -6 C.
Avalanche Summary
Reports since the weekend indicate there have been a few large cornice falls in alpine terrain, some of which have triggered large wind slab avalanches (size 2-2.5) on the slopes below. We suspect the reactivity of these wind slabs is diminishing under the current weather pattern, but cornices remain a concern.
Snowpack Summary
Recent wind from the northeast formed slabs on lee aspects at treeline and above. 20 to 50 cm of recent snow sits on a melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects to at least 2000 m. A sun crust likely extends to mountain tops on solar aspects. Another prominent crust layer is found 40 to 70 cm deep.
Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.
Terrain and Travel
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Problems
Cornices
Cornices are very large this time of year and pose a hazard when travelling on and below ridges.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Recent wind from the northeast has formed some wind slabs on lee aspects below ridgetops.
Aspects: North, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 14th, 2022 4:00PM
