Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 5th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada wlewis, Avalanche Canada

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Watch for lingering wind slabs around ridgelines as you gain elevation

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday a size 1 rider triggered wind slab was reported. Avalanche activity has tapered off but reactivity remains possible on isolated features.

Snowpack Summary

Gradual accumulations of fresh snowfall will be redistributed by southerly winds into wind slabs over 20 cm of settling storm snow on north facing slopes. On sun affected slopes and lower elevations storm snow will fall over a crust - however strong winds will likely keep the crust on the surface.

The middle of the snowpack is strong and contains numerous hard crusts. Near the ground, weak faceted crystals exist. There hasn't been avalanche activity on this layer recently, but it remains on our radar as it may become active with abrupt changes to the snowpack, such as rapid loading (heavy snowfall or rain) or prolonged warming.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy, up to 5 cm of snow. Moderate to strong southerly winds, freezing levels remain around 1000 m.

Thursday

Cloudy, trace to 5 cm of snow. Moderate to strong southerly winds, freezing levels around 1500 m.

Friday

Cloudy, 5-10 cm of snow. Moderate to strong southerly winds, freezing levels around 1000 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with strong to extreme southerly winds. Light snowfall continues.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Small pockets of wind slab may remain reactive, in isolated features around ridgelines. Check for wind slab above steep lines or in consequential terrain feautres.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 6th, 2023 4:00PM

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