Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 6th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada bchristie, Avalanche Canada

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Before committing to your line, check for signs of windslab instability like shooting cracks, or fresh avalanches.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Recent reports of avalanche activity have been limited to small (size 1) loose snow avalanches in steep, alpine features that face the sun.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Dry, powder snow remains on shaded (northerly) slopes. Moist snow or thin crusts exist on solar slopes and all aspects below ~1700 m.

The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled.

The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. This layer has not produced recent avalanche activity in this area, but professionals continue to monitor for signs of it becoming active.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly clear. No new snow/rain expected. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 2000 m. Treeline temperature around -2°C.

Friday

Mostly sunny. No new snow/rain expected until the evening. Moderate southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature around 0°C. Freezing level 2200 m.

Saturday

Cloudy. 5-10 cm of snow expected overnight in the alpine, light flurries continuing through the day. Moderate southwest ridgetop winds, trending to strong at higher elevations. Snow level around 1500 m.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. No new snow expected. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind, trending to strong at higher elevations. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Pay attention to isolated alpine features as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Dry, soft snow persists at high elevations on shaded slopes. Moderate southwest wind in the alpine has the potential to form reactive windslabs in leeward terrain.

Use extra caution below ridgecrests and in cross-loaded features. Watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 7th, 2023 4:00PM

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