Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 1st, 2021 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada MBender, Avalanche Canada

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Watch for lingering wind slabs at upper elevations and take a wide berth around cornices.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Thursday Night: Mainly cloudy. Ridgetop wind moderate southwest. Alpine temperatures near -7 and freezing levels 900 m. 

Friday: Cloudy with sunny breaks and isolated flurries. Ridgetop wind light to moderate southwest. Alpine temperatures near -4 and freezing levels 1400 m. 

Saturday: Cloudy with scattered flurries. Ridgetop wind light from the southwest. Alpine temperatures near -3 and freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind light northwest. Alpine temperatures near -5 and freezing level 1300 m. 

Avalanche Summary

Recent avalanche activity has been limited to thin wind slabs to size 1.5 and loose wet avalanches to size 1.5 from steep terrain facing the sun.

 

Snowpack Summary

40-60 cm of new snow blanketed the region by Monday morning. This has been redistributed by primarily southwest winds. Dry snow is likely found on higher elevation north facing terrain. The lower snowpack is strong and settled. The sun and warmer temperatures have likely impacted the snow surface on all aspects except high north.

Cornices along ridgelines are large and looming, especially after this storm. Avoid slopes with cornices overhead and give them a large berth while travelling along ridgelines. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices are large and looming along many ridgelines, and have likely grown with the recent snow and wind. 

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slabs from snow earlier in the week accompanied by strong wind exposed lee terrain may still linger in high elevation terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 2nd, 2021 4:00PM