Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 21st, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada JSmith, Avalanche Canada

Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers on lee features in the alpine.

 Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs. 

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Thursday night: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-5 cm / Light north wind / Low of 1 / Freezing level 1100 m.

Friday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light west wind / High of 8 / Freezing level 1700 m.

Saturday: Sunny / Light south wind / High of 9 / Freezing level 1700 m.

Sunday: Cloudy with flurries (showers below around 1100 m); 5-10 cm / Moderate south wind / High of 5 / Freezing level 1400 m.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were reported on Wednesday.

We currently have very limited avalanche observation data from this region.

Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN). Photos of current conditions and avalanches are the most helpful. 

Snowpack Summary

5-15 cm of new snow adds to the 20-35 cm of recent snow. Moderate southerly winds have formed wind slabs that may remain reactive to human triggers on lee features in the alpine.

The recent snow is sitting on a variety of hard snow surfaces, including crusts and wind scoured snow.

Below this, there are several crusts in the upper snowpack that may have the potential to produce large avalanches during the next significant warming event.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Moderate southerly winds have formed wind slabs that may remain reactive to human triggers on lee features in the alpine.

 Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow. 

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Small wet loose avalanches should be expected on steep, solar aspects when the sun comes out.

Avoid big, steep, alpine slopes that are getting cooked by the sun.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 22nd, 2022 4:00PM