Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 3rd, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Cornices.
ldreier,
Avalanche Canada
Forecast snow amounts vary highly in the region, from 10 to 25 cm. Fresh storm and wind slabs will build throughout the day with moderate to strong southwest wind. Choose conservative terrain if you see more than 15 cm new snow and wind is moving snow.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.
Weather Forecast
Sunday night: Mix of clouds and clear periods, 5-10 cm snow, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine low -6 °C, freezing level around 700 m.Â
Monday: Cloudy, 5-15 cm snow, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine high -4 °C, freezing level around 1400 m.
Tuesday: Mainly cloudy, 5-10 cm snow, moderate west wind, alpine high -5 °C, freezing level at 1400 m.
Wednesday: Mainly sunny, trace of new snow, moderate westerly wind, alpine high -3 °C, freezing level 1500 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, a small natural wind slab avalanche was observed on a north aspect in the alpine. A rider triggered a small slab avalanche on the same slope. Both avalanches likely occurred on Saturday.
On Saturday, many natural dry loose avalanches were reported in steep terrain, as well as a large cornice failure that released a slab on the slope below.Â
On Friday, a small wind slab avalanche was observed in steep rocky terrain.Â
No new avalanches were reported on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
The upper 60 cm of the snowpack consist of multiple crusts. The surface snow consists of a thin crust up to 1800 m that is supportive below 1400 m.Â
The new snow will add to the 20-30 cm recent snow that sits on the thick melt-freeze crust from late March. This crust can be found up to 1900 m on all aspects.Â
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
- Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
- Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs will build throughout the day. The amount of new snow will be variable in the region and can range from 10 to 25 cm by the end of the day on Monday.
Moderate to strong southwest wind will redistribute the new snow and build fresh wind slabs in lee terrain features in the alpine and at treeline.
The slabs will be most reactive to human triggers where they overlie a crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Springtime cornices are large and unpredictable. New snow and wind will further grow cornices, and the additional load can lead to cornice failures. Give them a wide berth when travelling at ridge crest and avoid overhead exposure.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 4th, 2022 4:00PM
