Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 8th, 2022 4:00PM

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

dsaly, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

A thick crust will provide for easy travel but poor bonding surface for any new snow. Check for wind slabs under exposed ridges and into the alpine.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

Friday night: Unsettled in the wake of the cold front with isolated flurries, up to 10 cm by morning along with moderate southwest wind. Freezing levels falling to valley bottom with a possible inversion.

Saturday: Blustery with alpine flurries, up to 5 cm through the day. Light to moderate southwest winds. Freezing levels around 1400 m, ridgetop high -2 C.

Sunday: Unsettled with flurries, 5-10 overnight and another 5 through the day. Light west wind. Freezing levels around 1200 m, ridgetop high -3 C.

Monday: Overnight flurries with up to 15 cm by morning. Light but gusty east wind. Freezing level 1100 m, ridgetop high -4 C.

Avalanche Summary

Wet loose avalanches to size 1.5 were reported on Thursday with warm temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

A crust has formed on all aspects except high north terrain. Any new flurries or dry snow will not bond well to the crust allowing wind to build reactive slabs in lee features. Multiple crusts exist in the upper snowpack. The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and bonded.

Terrain and Travel

Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Thin slabs may form at upper elevations where wind impacts and deposits any flurries or dry snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Cornices

Springtime cornices are large and capricious. Give them plenty of space traveling along ridges and avoid lingering below them.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 9th, 2022 4:00PM