Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 14th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for small wind slabs at higher elevations, weak overhanging cornices and wet surface conditions the sun comes out.
Check out the newest forecaster blog if you are thinking of checking off some big spring objectives.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
A cool and unsettled flow will affect coastal regions into the weekend. Convective flurries are expected in isolated areas and may be heavy at times.
THURSDAY NIGHT: Partly cloud with light northerly winds. Freezing levels drop to 500 m. Overnight flurries bring trace amounts of snow.
FRIDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with light southeasterly winds. Freezing level rises to 1200 m. Light snowfall in the afternoon bringing 5 cm for most areas, with locally heavier accumulations possible in isolated terrain.
SATURDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with increasing southeasterly winds. Freezing levels rise to 1400 m. Isolated flurries are expected to bring trace amounts. und 5 cm overnight.
SUNDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with increasing southeasterly winds. Freezing levels rise to 1100 m. Isolated flurries are expected to bring trace amounts.
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday loose dry avalanches were observed to size 1 out of steep and sheltered terrain features. In exposed terrain, small wind slabs were triggered to size 1 on south and west facing slopes at treeline and above.
Watch for large, overhanging cornices when travelling on or below ridgelines. Reports suggest they are large and weak, and could fail from your weight.
Snowpack Summary
10 to 30 cm of dry, wind-affected snow sits above a crust or hard surfaces at higher elevations. Small wind slabs may be found at high elevations on north, west and south facing slopes from recent variable winds. At lower elevations a widespread melt freeze crust likely sits on the surface.
Various melt-freeze crusts exist in the upper to middle snowpack, which reports suggest are bonding well. The lower snowpack is considered strong and well settled at this time.
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Pockets of wind slabs may be found in steep terrain features near ridges from recent northeast winds. Wind slabs may continue to be reactive where they sit over a crust, most likely on south facing terrain features.
Stay aware of your exposure to cornices as you travel on slopes below them, and as you move along ridgelines. They may be weak and reactive to human triggers. Cornices are a significant hazard alone, and may produce large slab avalanches as they fall onto the slope below.
Aspects: North, South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 15th, 2022 4:00PM
