Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 13th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

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Conditions are generally safe, but there are still isolated hazards from cornices and wind slabs.

Summary

Confidence

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear skies, no precipitation, 20 km/h wind from the east, treeline temperatures drop to -15 C.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny in the morning with increasing cloud in the afternoon, no precipitation, light wind from the east, treeline temperatures warm to -8 C.

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, isolated flurries with trace amounts of snow, light wind, treeline temperatures warm to -6 C.

SATURDAY: Mostly sunny, light wind from the east, treeline temperatures warm to -4 C.

Avalanche Summary

A few large cornice failures (size 2) were reported on Monday and Tuesday. There were also a few small (size 1) human-triggered wind slab avalanches in alpine terrain (see photos of this remotely-triggered wind slab from Wednesday).

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20 cm of recent snow sits on a melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects to at least 2200 m and up to mountain tops on solar aspects. Recent northeast wind has formed wind slabs on lee aspects below ridgetops. Another prominent crust layer is found 40 to 80 cm deep.

Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.

Terrain and Travel

  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Problems

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices are very large this time of year and pose a hazard when travelling on and below ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 14th, 2022 4:00PM