Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 18th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada JSmith, Avalanche Canada

Forecast snow and strong southwest winds Monday night may form wind slabs reactive to human triggers.

Expect the danger to be Considerable in localized areas that receive more than 20 cm of new snow Monday night.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Monday night: Snow; 10-15 cm / Strong southwest wind / Low of -9 / Freezing level 900 m.

Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southwest wind / High of -1 / Freezing level 1400 m.

Wednesday: Sunny / Light southeast wind / High of 3 / Freezing level 1800 m.

Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southwest wind / High of 2 / Freezing level 1700 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

10-15 cm of new snow and strong southwest winds are forecast for Monday night. This may form small wind slabs reactive to human triggers on lee features at treeline and above.

The recent snow is sitting on a variety of hard snow surfaces, including crusts and wind scoured snow. Below this, there are several crusts in the upper snowpack, but they are unlikely to be a concern in most areas until the next significant warming event.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Forecast snow and strong southwest winds Monday night may form small wind slabs reactive to human triggers.

These slabs are most likely to form on lee features at treeline and above.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices may be weak and reactive to human triggers. They create a significant falling hazard, and may produce large slab avalanches as they fall onto the slope below.  

Cornice failures are more likely during hot and sunny weather.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 19th, 2022 4:00PM