Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 20th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Catherine Brown,

Watch for recently deposited wind slabs on lee features. These overlie a crust up to 2250 m and higher on solar aspects.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A spring storm on Friday will bring light to mod precip, warm and dry for the weekend.

Tonight: Sun and cloud, FZL 700m, light SE winds

Thurs: Cloudy wtih sunny periods and isolated flurries, Alp high -1*C, FZL 2000m, light SW winds

Fri: Flurries, 10 cm, Alp high -3*C, FZL 1900m, light NW winds

Snowpack Summary

Approx 20cm of new snow and strong, gusty SW winds at Treeline have buried a supportive crust (5-20cm thick, up to ~2200m) or variable soft to hard wind slab in the Alpine. Fresh wind slabs likely in lee areas Treeline and above. Expect warmish "dust on crust" as you ascend up valley, bring your glide wax!

Avalanche Summary

Limited Natural activity observed Tuesday with poor visibility. Neighbours are reporting reactive storm snow on top of an April 18th Crust.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New snow and gusty winds at ridge-top will have created reactive wind slabs in immediate Alpine and upper Treeline lee features. These slabs are up to 30 cm deep and sitting on top of a crust on all but northerly alpine aspects.

  • Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. New snow and wind has formed wind slabs.
  • Recent snow may be more sensitive to human triggering on a crust

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices are LARGE and may be sensitive to temperature fluctuations, solar radiation, wind loading or just your mere presence nearby. Take necessary precautions if approaching them to access your line and limit your exposure below them.

  • Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on ridges.
  • Minimize exposure to cornices. They will squish you.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Apr 21st, 2022 4:00PM

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