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
The storm will bring new snow varying from 15 to 25 cm in the region. Fresh storm and wind slabs will build throughout the day with strong southwest wind. Choose conservative terrain if you see more than 15 cm new snow and the wind is moving snow.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.
Weather Forecast
Sunday night: Cloudy, 10 cm snow, strong southwest wind, alpine low -3 °C, freezing level around 1200 m.
Monday: Mainly cloudy, 10-15 cm snow, moderate to strong southerly wind, alpine high -4 °C, freezing level at 1500 m.Â
Tuesday: Mainly cloudy, 5-10 cm snow, moderate westerly wind, alpine high -5 °C, freezing level 1500 m.
Wednesday: Sunny, trace of new snow, light to moderate westerly wind, alpine high -4 °C, freezing level 1600 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday, many large dry loose avalanches (up to size 3) were observed in steep terrain. Skiers triggered several small dry loose avalanches.Â
On Friday, two large (size 2) natural wind slabs were observed, as well as a failed cornice that triggered a slab on the slope below and resulted in a size 2.5 avalanche. Explosives triggered small wind slabs in the alpine and a size 2.5 storm slab.
On Thursday, several wind slabs and dry loose avalanches were reported up to size 2. They likely released on Wednesday.Â
Snowpack Summary
The snow surface became moist up to 1800 m on all aspects and up to 2000 m on sun-exposed slopes in the last couple of days.
The new snow will add to the 20-50 cm of recent snow that sits on the late March melt-freeze crust and tapers rapidly at lower elevations. This crust is present up to 1900 m on all aspects.
The upper 60 cm of the snowpack consist of multiple crusts.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 15 to 25 cm by the end of the day on Monday.
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
