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 and Loose Wet.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Monitor surface snow and watch for changing conditions as you transition through aspect and elevations.
Wet avalanches are possible on south facing terrain features affected by strong sunshine & wind slabs may be reactive at higher elevations.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected. Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with flurries of up to 5 cm. Freezing levels drop to valley bottom. Light northerly winds.
SUNDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries. Trace amounts likely for most areas, isolated convection may bring up to 10 cm for southern areas. Freezing levels reach 1200 m. Light to moderate northeast winds.Â
MONDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Freezing levels reach 1200 m. Light northeast winds.Â
TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing trace amounts of snow, freezing levels reach 1000 m. Light easterly winds.Â
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Friday.
On Thursday, several size 1.5 slab avalanches were triggered by skiers and riders. Natural wet avalanche activity was observed to size 1.5 on south facing slopes in many areas.Â
Avalanches on the buried March crust were last reported on Tuesday with two remotely triggered storm slabs observed at 2000 m in the north of the region.
Snowpack Summary
At high elevations 5-20 cm of recent wind affected storm snow sits over moist snow, observed to around 2000m. Southwest winds have likely created deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes.Â
A widespread and supportive crust is buried around 40-60 cm deep, below more recent settling storm snow. This crust has been reactive to human and natural triggers within the last 5 days, but reports suggest it is beginning to bond well.Â
Lower elevations hold a widespread crust that may soften over the day on south facing slopes during periods of sun. The middle and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded.Â
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Pockets of wind loading may be found at higher elevations. Wind slabs are expected to remain reactive where they sit over a crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Watch for wet surface snow on south facing slopes as the sun affects recent storm snow for the first time.
Warming will be most significant on steep slopes, and around rock features.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 10th, 2022 4:00PM
