Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 1st, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.
swerner,
Avalanche Canada
Fresh wind slabs may be reactive to human triggering at upper elevations, especially where they sit above a crust.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.
Weather Forecast
Unsettled weather is forecast for the weekend. This will bring mostly cloudy skies, new snow of 5-10 cm, and moderate to strong southwest winds at ridgetop. Freezing levels will rise to 1500 m during the day and drop overnight.Â
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Thursday.
On Wednesday in the Renshaw area, several natural wind slab avalanches were reported and machine-triggered slabs up to size 1.
Snowpack Summary
Above 2000 m, 10-20 cm of new snow overlies 20 cm of denser snow that tapers rapidly with elevation. Below 2000 m a melt-freeze crust exists on all aspects and to mountain top on solar aspects. Below the crust, the top 10-30 cm of the snowpack is moist. This brings 50-60 cm over the mid-March interface at upper elevations.Â
Westerly winds have formed reactive wind slabs on leeward terrain in the alpine and exposed treeline terrain.
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.
- 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
Wind Slabs
New snow and strong southwest winds may build fresh and reactive wind slabs. Wind slabs can be expected in leeward terrain features in the alpine and treeline. These wind slabs will be most reactive where they overlie a slick crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Springtime cornices are large, weak and unpredictable. Give them a wide berth when traveling at ridge crest and avoid overhead exposure.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 2nd, 2022 4:00PM
