Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 21st, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Cornices and Wind Slabs.
TRettie,
Avalanche Canada
Assess steep lines for wind slab and limit exposure to slopes with cornices above.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
Thursday night: Light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow with light variable winds. Low of -10 at 2000 m.
Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with light flurries bringing trace amounts of snow. Light west wind and freezing level around 2000 m.
Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light southwest winds and freezing levels rising to 2200 m.
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Moderate south winds and freezing levels rising to 2100 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday several natural cornice falls to size 2.5 were reported. We suspect that small pockets of wind slab could be found in the alpine. As the sun comes out small wet loose avalanches are possible.
If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.
Snowpack Summary
10 to 20 cm of recent storm snow overlies old wind effected surfaces and a crust on solar aspects. The upper snowpack contains several crusts that extend up to mountain tops on solar aspects.
Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy. The snowpack deteriorates rapidly at lower elevations.
Terrain and Travel
- Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.
Problems
Cornices
Cornices may be weak and reactive to human triggers. Give them a wide berth when travelling on ridges. They are a significant hazard alone and may produce large slab avalanches as they fall onto the slope below. Cornice falls are more likely when the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Isolated pockets of rider triggerable wind slab could still be found in the alpine.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 22nd, 2022 4:00PM
