Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 9th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
JSmith,
Avalanche Canada
The recently strong southwest winds are switching to northeasterly on Sunday. Wind slabs may be found on a variety of aspects at treeline and above.
Use high points in the terrain such as ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
Saturday night: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-5 cm / Light northeast wind / Low of -12 / Freezing level valley bottom.
Sunday: Sunny / Moderate northeast wind / High of -3 / Freezing level 1000 m.
Monday: Mix of sun and cloud / Moderate east wind / High of -8 / Freezing level valley bottom.
Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Strong east wind / High of -10 / Freezing level valley bottom.
Avalanche Summary
Naturally triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on all aspects on Friday.
Wet loose avalanches will become less likely as temperatures cool, but remain possible on sunny days.
Snowpack Summary
3-15 cm of new snow buries a melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects to at least 2000 m. A sun crust likely extends to mountain tops on solar aspects.
Recent strong westerly winds formed wind slabs on lee aspects at treeline and above.
The prominent layer in the upper snowpack is a melt-freeze crust down 50-70 cm.
Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent strong southwesterly winds formed wind slabs on lee aspects at treeline and above.
Forecast moderate northeast winds on Sunday may form fresh wind slabs reactive to human triggers.
Use high points in the terrain such as ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 10th, 2022 4:00PM
