Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 24th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jsmith, Avalanche Canada

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Recent snow and southerly wind may have formed fresh wind slabs on lee features in the alpine.

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were reported on Sunday. However, observations in this region are currently very limited.

Observations are limited at this time of year, please consider sharing any information or photos you have on the Mountain Information Network to help guide our forecasts.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow and southerly wind may have formed fresh wind slabs on lee features in the alpine.

Cornices are very large and loom over slopes below like gargoyles. Cornice falls may trigger large avalanches on the slopes below.

A robust crust exists on all aspects up to approximately 1400 m and to ridgetop on sunny aspects.

A weak layer of surface hoar/crust/facets buried in early January is now around 100 cm down in most areas. A significant warming event or a large trigger (like a falling cornice) are the most likely things to activate this layer.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-5 cm / 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -5 C / Freezing level valley bottom

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud / 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -2 C / Freezing level 800 m

Wednesday

Cloudy with isolated flurries; 3-5 cm / 25 km/h south ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around 1 C / Freezing level 1100 m

Thursday

Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-5 cm / 60 km/h south ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around 1 C / Freezing level 1100 m

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent snow and southerly wind may have formed fresh wind slabs on lee features in the alpine.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices are very large and loom over slopes below like gargoyles. Cornice falls may trigger large avalanches on the slopes below.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 25th, 2023 4:00PM