Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 24th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Garth Lemke,

Overnight temperatures are not cold the next two nights. The day has the potential to start warm plus could be light rain up to 2400m. Tackle the mountains early and get down early as the hazard increases by the late afternoon.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Sunday night will be clouds with clear periods, no new snow, -3C, light Southwest winds, and 1700m freezing level. Monday could bring flurries, 6cm of snow, +1C, light gusting moderate Southwest winds, and 2400m freezing level. Tuesday will be similar to Monday. Wednesday could be scattered flurries, 4cm of snow, and 1900m freezing level.

Snowpack Summary

Thin temperature crust on steep solar aspects and potentially 5-15cm soft snow over previous wind surfaces and crusts more likely found on North aspects. Limited wind redistribution occurred from brief Southwest winds early last week. Several hard crusts in the upper snowpack and a well consolidated mid-pack in deep snowpack areas.

Avalanche Summary

Several loose wet avalanches up to size 1.5 in the zone and with neighbors. Consult the Mountain Information Network for recent observations, and please consider submitting a MIN report if you observe any new activity.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Monday

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Watch for this problem to increase during the day as temperatures rise and particularly if any solar input occurs. A small initiation can quickly build mass and speed. Consequences could be deadly if it pushes you over a cliff or into a terrain trap.

  • Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small slab avalanches may have severe consequences.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Expect a slight increase in the potential for cornice failures the next two days. The overnight freeze is less and freezing levels are rising. They are not typically triggering slopes below yet consider them large triggers and inherently dangerous.

  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.
  • Avoid travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 25th, 2022 4:00PM