Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 11th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada rbuhler, Avalanche Canada

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Watch for small new wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. Ongoing northeast wind is causing reverse loading

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Monday night: Partly cloudy, moderate northeast wind, treeline low around -10 °C.

Tuesday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks and a chance of flurries, light to moderate northeast wind, treeline high around -6 °C.

Wednesday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks, light to moderate southeast wind, treeline high around -3 °C.

Thursday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks, light to moderate east wind, treeline high around -2 °C.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported over the weekend. 

Observations are very limited this time of year. If you are getting out in the backcountry, please consider contributing to the Mountain Information Network.  

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of recent snowfall has buried a widespread melt-freeze crust which formed during the major warming event at the end of last week. Moderate to strong northeast wind on Monday has redistributed this recent snow in exposed terrain forming small wind slabs which sit on the crust.

Multiple crusts exist in the upper snowpack which are well bonded with the current cold conditions. The middle and lower snowpack are currently well settled and strong.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent and ongoing northeast winds have redistributed the recent snowfall into small reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain features. These slabs sit over a firm melt-freeze crust which may increase their reactivity. 

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 12th, 2022 4:00PM