Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 13th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
rbuhler,
Avalanche Canada
Continue to watch for reactive wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain, especially along the eastern slopes of the region which have received recent snow accumulation. Reverse loading by easterly winds means wind slabs may have formed in unusual places.
Summary
Confidence
Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy, light east wind, treeline low around -15 °C.
Thursday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks, light east wind, treeline high around -10 °C.
Friday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks, light variable wind, treeline high around -6 °C.
Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate east wind, treeline high around -4 °C.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported over the past few days in the region.Â
On Tuesday in the neighbouring Flathead area, the Avalanche Canada field team reported a few natural size 1-1.5 wind slabs in steep leeward features in the alpine.Â
Observations are very limited this time of year. If you are getting out in the backcountry, please consider contributing to the Mountain Information Network. Â
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm of aging storm snow has buried a widespread melt-freeze crust which formed during the major warming event on April 8. Most recently, eastern upslope areas of the region have seen a few centimetres of snow flurries accumulating each day from the storm system currently impacting the prairies. Recent periods of strong wind from the northeast through southeast are expected to have redistributed the recent snowfall in exposed high elevation terrain forming small wind slabs.Â
The middle and lower snowpack are currently well settled and strong.
Terrain and Travel
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent winds from the northeast through southeast have redistributed the recent snowfall into small wind slabs in exposed terrain features. Reactive wind slabs may still be lingering, especially along eastern upslope areas of the region which received snow accumulation over the past couple days.
Aspects: North, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 14th, 2022 4:00PM
