Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 7th, 2021 3:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada mkoppang, Avalanche Canada

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Winds are forecast to become light overnight with 15-20cm of new snow forecast. Evaluate the winds and snow amounts as you transition into open wind affected areas on Thursday as the danger may be higher than forecast. Welcome back to winter! 

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

15-20cm of new snow is forecast overnight with cooling temperatures and the winds fading to light! Phew finally! Expect a cloudy day and temps around -10 to start the day.  

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed on Wednesday. 

Snowpack Summary

Well the winds arrived over the past 24hrs and they left there mark on the snowpack. A breakable windcrust was pretty widespread in the alpine and hooky skiing was the word of the day. The only dry powder skiing we found was at treeline and below on pure north aspects. Solar aspects have a melt freeze crust that is supportive in the morning, and less snow as the day warms up. 15-20cm of snow is expected overnight and it will be important to check the bond between this new snow and the underlying surface. One good thing is the wind is forecast to be light so new windslabs may only be isolated to wind affected terrain such as cols and ridgelines. pay close attention as you transition into wind affected terrain. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid steep convex slopes.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Isolated windslabs are being found at Cols and on crossloaded features. These slabs will be buried with the new snow forecast on Thursday morning.  

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 8th, 2021 3:00PM