Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 5th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs, Cornices and Loose Wet.
rbuhler,
Avalanche Canada
The recent storm snow is expected to remain reactive to human triggering, especially in wind-loaded terrain. With extended sun exposure on Wednesday, any unconsolidated storm snow may settle into a more cohesive slab and become increasingly reactive.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
A ridge of high pressure brings dry and sunny conditions for the morning but a storm system impacting the north coast is expected to result in increased cloud cover and a chance of flurries by Wednesday afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mainly clear, light variable wind, freezing level low around 700 m.
Wednesday: Sunny in the morning, cloudy with a chance of flurries in the afternoon, moderate to strong SW wind, freezing level high around 1500 m.
Thursday: Mainly cloudy with a chance of sunny breaks in the afternoon, strong to extreme SW wind, freezing level high 2000-2500 m.
Thursday night: Light precipitation, strong to extreme SW wind, freezing level dropping to around 1200 m.
Friday: Mainly cloudy with a chance of flurries and sunny breaks, moderate NW wind, freezing level high around 1400 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Monday by there are very few observers this time of year.
On Sunday, numerous natural and skier-triggered size 1 storm slabs were reported on northwest through northeast aspects at treeline. These were 10-20 cm thick and sliding on a melt-freeze crust. This MIN post reported a small natural avalanche as well as a remotely triggered wind slab avalanche which was 30 cm thick and sliding on the crust. This MIN post describes a small natural avalanche on a northeast aspect at 1100 m elevation.
Observations are very limited this time of year. If you are getting out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
The recent storm is estimated to have produced 60-90 cm of new snow. This storm snow has buried a widespread, supportive melt-freeze crust. Recent observations suggest the new snow is relatively well bonded to this underlying crust. Strong to extreme southwest wind has redistributed this storm snow in exposed, high elevation terrain forming touchy wind slabs and building large cornices.
The middle and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded.
Terrain and Travel
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- 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
Storm Slabs
The recent storm snow is expected to remain reactive to human-triggering on Wednesday, especially in wind exposed terrain and on steep, convex or unsupported terrain features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices have grown large during the recent storm and may be fragile on Wednesday, especially with extended exposure to the sun. Falling cornices are a likely trigger for slab avalanches on the slopes below.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches should be expected from steep, sun-exposed slopes during extended periods of sun exposure.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 6th, 2022 4:00PM
