Large cornice failures are more likely during periods of hot and sunny weather.
Use caution when traveling on corniced ridgetops and limit your exposure to slopes with large cornices overhead.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
Saturday night: Mostly clear / Light southwest wind / Low of -5 / Freezing level 1300 m.
Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud, then 5-10 cm snow overnight ( rain below around 1200 m) / Moderate south wind / High of 6 / Freezing level 2200 m.
Monday: Mix of sun and cloud with very isolated flurries/showers; 0-5 cm / Moderate southwest wind / High of 3 / Freezing level 1700 m.
Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud with very isolated flurries/showers; 0-5 cm / Light southwest wind / High of 2 / Freezing level 1500 m.
Avalanche Summary
Small (size 1-1.5) naturally triggered wet loose avalanches on solar aspects were reported at treeline and above on Friday.
We currently have very limited avalanche observation data from this region.
Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN). Photos of current conditions and avalanches are the most helpful.Â
Snowpack Summary
10 cm of well settled recent snow sits on a melt-freeze crust.
Several crusts exist in the upper snowpack. In areas where there are weak facets sitting on top of the crusts, there is potential for large natural slab avalanches when freezing levels reach mountain tops for multiple days.
Avoid large slopes and avalanche paths during periods of intense warming.
Cornices are very large and more prone to failure during periods of intense warming.
Terrain and Travel
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Avoid exposure to steep sun exposed slopes.
- Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
Problems
Cornices
Cornices may be weak and reactive to human triggers. They create a significant falling hazard, and may produce large slab avalanches as they fall onto the slope below.
Cornice failures are more likely during hot and sunny weather.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Small wet loose avalanches should be expected on steep, solar aspects when the sun comes out.
Avoid big, steep, alpine slopes that are getting cooked by the sun.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 24th, 2022 4:00PM
