Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 14th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada trettie, Avalanche Canada

Use extra caution in wind effected terrain, especially on large slopes or slopes with overhead hazard. Several large remotely triggered avalanches have been reported in the past few days.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Earlier in the week several remotely triggered storm and wind slabs were reported. these avalanches typically occurred between 2000 and 2300 m and on a variety of aspects. A layer of facets and/or a crust down around 60 cm is likely responsible. Check out this MIN for an example of these avalanches.

No significant avalanches were reported on Thursday but observations are limited this time of year.

If you are venturing into the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

New snow accompanied by southerly winds will overlie a crust at treeline and below. In the alpine this new snow will fall on a variety of surfaces including dry snow and wind slab on the north and crust and wind pressed surfaces on the south.

A layer of facets and a crust from early April can be found down up to 60 cm at treeline and above.

The base of the snowpack remains faceted and weak. Avalanche activity has not been observed on this layer recently but concern remains for shallow rocky snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of new snow expected. Increasing southerly winds and a low of -8°C at 1800 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong southerly winds and freezing level rising to 1700 m with the snowline around 1300 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow expected. Strong southeast winds and freezing levels rising to 1700 m. Snowline around 1400 m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow possible. Moderate southeast winds and a high of -4°C at 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Rider triggerable wind slabs will still be found on lee and cross loaded features at treeline and above. A layer of facets and/or a crust buried down around 60 cm could make wind slabs larger and more reactive.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 15th, 2023 4:00PM

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