Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 4th, 2022–Apr 5th, 2022

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Glacier.

Spring-time is here; begin and finish your day early while low elevation slopes remain cooler.

Localized convective flurries may bring intense bouts of stormy weather followed by strong sun the next couple of days.

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud the next couple days, with convective cells delivering localized intense flurries.

Tonight: Flurries, trace to 5cm, Alp low -9*C, FZL 800m, mod/strong SW winds

Tues: Mainly cloudy with flurries, trace to 5cm, Alp high -9*C, FZL 1300m, mod/strong W winds

Wed: Sun and cloud, Alp high -6*C, FZL 1200m, light W winds

Snowpack Summary

45-65cm of storm snow at Treeline and above (drainage dependant due to convection) has buried a variety of surfaces including wind slabs, solar crusts to mountain top, and a melt/freeze crust to 2200m. Northerly slopes in the Alpine hold cold, wintery snow. The December 1st crust is down 1.5-2m. Late season cornices are LARGE!

Avalanche Summary

Artillery control on Monday produced large slab avalanches, up to sz 3-3.5, on N aspects of Macdonald and Smart. S'ly aspects were not as reactive to explosives.

Natural avalanche activity increased late Monday morning/afternoon when the SW winds finally arrived, along with brief, intense bursts of snow then sunshine.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

New storm snow (60cm in the west, 40cm in the east) overlies a firm crust at treeline and above, with mod/strong SW winds distributing it into lee areas.

Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
The storm slab may be more sensitive to human triggering on solar aspects where it sits on sun crust

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Loose Wet

The likelihood of wet, loose avalanches increases with daytime warming, especially if it rains or the strong Spring sun hits the slopes. The heavy, wet mass of these avalanches has the potential to trigger deep persistent wet slabs.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.
Travel early before the heat of the day, and avoid big slopes in the afternoon.

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

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2