Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 25th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada TRettie, Avalanche Canada

Continuously assess for changing conditions as you move through terrain. Winter like conditions could still be found at higher elevations.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Monday night: 5 to 15 cm of new snow expected with light to moderate south winds. Freezing level falling to 1300 m.

Tuesday: stormy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations. Light to moderate west winds and freezing levels around 1900 m.

Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of flurries bringing 5 cm of new snow. Light southwest winds and freezing levels around 1800 m.

Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light southwest to west winds. Freezing level around 2000 m.

Avalanche Summary

Natural wet loose avalanches up to size 2.5 have been observed on all aspects and elevations except high north facing terrain. One size 3 natural cornice fall was reported on a north aspect. This triggered a large slab avalanche on the slope below. Wet loose avalanches will be likely as the freezing level rises or when the sun comes out. Rider triggerable wind slabs could be found in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Dry snow and pockets of wind slab can still be found in the alpine. Several crusts exist on solar aspects extending to mountain tops. Moist snow will likely be observed as the freezing level rises or when the sun comes out.

Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy. The snowpack deteriorates rapidly at lower elevations.

Terrain and Travel

  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Problems

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices may be weak and reactive to human triggers. Give them a wide berth when travelling on ridges. They are a significant hazard alone and may produce large slab avalanches as they fall onto the slope below. Cornice falls are more likely when the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

  Winter conditions will likely persist at higher elevations for the next few days. Winds slabs are possible. Keep an eye on new snowfall amounts and look for wind transport as you gain elevation.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

When the freezing level rises or the sun comes out wet loose avalanches will become likely. Back off slopes as the surface gets moist and avoid steep slopes above terrain traps where getting caught in even a small avalanche could be consequential.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 28th, 2022 4:00PM