Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 9th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet and Wind Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Monitor surface snow and watch for changing conditions as you transition through aspect and elevations.
Wet avalanches are possible on south facing terrain features affected by strong sunshine & wind slabs may be reactive at higher elevations.
Summary
Confidence
High - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack. The snowpack structure is generally well understood.
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with flurries of up to 5 cm in localized areas. Freezing levels below 500 m. Light northerly winds.
SUNDAY: Clear skies in the morning with increasing cloud. Freezing levels rise to around 900 m. Light northeast winds.Â
MONDAY: Mostly clear skies with light and variable winds. No precipitation expected. Freezing levels reach 1000 m.Â
TUESDAY: Mostly clear skies with light to moderate easterly winds. Freezing levels reach 800 m. Flurries possible, up to 3 cm.Â
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in the last 3 days. We would expect small natural and human triggered avalanches out of wind loaded features at higher elevations.Â
Observations are very limited this time of year. If you are getting out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network.Â
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm of new snow can be found at high elevations, sitting over a melt freeze crust or moist snow. Strong southwest winds have likely redistributed this storm snow into pockets of wind loading on north and east facing slopes. A widespread and supportive melt freeze crust is buried 60-110 cm deep, below recent settling storm snow. Recent tests suggest that this crust is bonding well to the snow above it.Â
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A thick and widespread crust sits on the surface to around 1400 m. Periods of sun may soften the crust on south facing slopes over the day. Now is no time to think of what you do not have, think of what you can do with what there is. Head to wind sheltered features at higher elevations to escape the crust and possibly find good skiing. The middle and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded.
Terrain and Travel
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Problems
Loose Wet
Watch for wet surface snow on south facing slopes as the sun affects recent storm snow for the first time.
Warming will be most significant on steep slopes, and around rock features.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Isolated pockets of wind loading may be found at higher elevations. Wind slabs are expected to remain reactive where they sit over a crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 10th, 2022 4:00PM
