Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 21st, 2024 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 Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada mconlan, Avalanche Canada

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Be wary of wind slabs in steep terrain and minimize your overhead exposure during the heat of the day.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

We haven't received any recent reports of avalanche activity. Looking forward, avalanche activity is possible on Monday at higher elevations. Humans could trigger wind slabs in lee terrain features near ridges. Warming and intense sun will wet the snow on sun-exposed slopes, increasing the likelihood of wet loose avalanches and cornice falls.

Snowpack Summary

Around 15 cm of snow accumulated above 1200 m on Saturday. The snow fell with strong westerly wind, which may have formed wind slabs in lee terrain features near ridges. The snow fell onto wet snow and a hard melt-freeze crust. Warming and periods of strong sun will rapidly wet the snow on sun-exposed slopes.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong.

There is insufficient snow to form avalanches for most below treeline locations.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Monday

Partly cloudy. 10 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New wind slabs formed at higher elevations from 10 to 15 cm of new snow and strong westerly wind. Assess for slabs on steep slopes near ridges before entering high-consequence terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Wet loose avalanches are possible with strong sun. Watch your overhead exposure to steep sun-exposed slopes during the heat of the day. Also be wary of cornices, as they may weaken with daytime warming.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 22nd, 2024 4:00PM

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