Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 20th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jsmith, Avalanche Canada

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Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for lingering wind slabs on all aspects at upper elevations.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were reported on Wednesday. However, observations in this region are currently very limited.

Observations are limited at this time of year, please consider sharing any information or photos you have on the Mountain Information Network to help guide our forecasts.

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine, 20-30 cm of recent snow and moderate south wind formed wind slabs in isolated lee features. A robust crust exists on all aspects up to approximately 1400 m and to ridgetop on south aspects.

Cornices are large and loom over slopes below like gargoyles.

A weak layer of surface hoar/crust/facets buried in early January is now around 100 cm down in most areas. Operators continue to monitor this layer. A significant warming event or a large trigger (like a falling cornice) are the most likely things to activate this layer.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy / 20 km/h east ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -4 C / Freezing level valley bottom

Friday

Mostly cloudy / 20 km/h east ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -3 C / Freezing level 1200 m

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries; 0-10 cm / 20 km/h east ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -2 C / Freezing level 1300 m

Sunday

Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-5 cm / 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -1 C / Freezing level 1400 m

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for lingering wind slabs on all aspects at upper elevations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 21st, 2023 4:00PM