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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 11th, 2022–Apr 12th, 2022
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Purcells.

Watch for wind slabs on all aspects in exposed terrain. Older wind slabs resulting from southwest wind over the weekend may still be reactive. A switch to northeast wind on Monday is expected to be causing reverse loading and small new wind slabs may be developing.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Monday night: Partly cloudy with a chance of flurries, moderate northeast wind, treeline low around -12 °C.

Tuesday: Mainly cloudy with with a chance of flurries and sunny breaks, light to moderate northeast wind, treeline high around -8 °C.

Wednesday: Mainly cloudy with with a chance of flurries and sunny breaks, light to moderate east wind, treeline high around -7 °C.

Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud, light variable wind, treeline high around -6 °C.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, a natural size 1.5 cornice release was reported on an east aspect. 

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

10-30 cm of recent snowfall has buried a widespread melt-freeze crust which formed during the major warming event at the end of last week. Periods of strong southwest wind over the weekend has formed wind slabs which may still be reactive in isolated areas. Moderate to strong northeast wind on Monday and Tuesday is expected to be redistributing any remaining unconsolidated snow in exposed high elevation terrain forming small new wind slabs on the opposite aspects.

A thick rain crust with facets above from early December is buried around 100-200 cm deep. Large avalanches were naturally triggered on this layer during the last significant warming event in the western part of the region near the Bugaboos. With the current cold temperatures, avalanche activity on this layer is unlikely. However, we expect it will wake up again with the next major input of warming and sun, or rainfall.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Lingering old wind slabs from the weekend may still be reactive in isolated areas on north and east aspects. 

Recent and ongoing northeast wind is expected to be forming small new wind slabs in exposed terrain features on south and west aspects. 

Wind slabs likely sit over a firm melt-freeze crust which may increase their reactivity. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2