Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 24th, 2022 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 TRettie, Avalanche Canada

Carefully assess the wind slab hazard as you gain elevation. New wind slabs could form throughout the day.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Weather Forecast

Sunday night: no new snow expected. Moderate south wind and freezing level falling to 1300 m.

Monday: Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected. Freezing level around 2100 m. Moderate south wind.

Tuesday: Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow expected. Light to moderate variable winds and freezing levels around 1800 m.

Wednesday: Stormy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected with moderate southwest winds. Freezing level around 1700 m.

Avalanche Summary

Natural wet loose avalanches up to size two have been observed on all aspects and elevations except high north facing terrain over the past few days. We suspect that small wet loose avalanches will continue to be observed due to high freezing levels.

Snowpack Summary

Dry snow and pockets of wind slab can still be found on high north facing terrain. The upper snowpack contains several crusts that extend to mountain tops on solar aspects. Moist snow will likely be observed at treeline and belowterrain.

Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy. The snowpack deteriorates rapidly at lower elevations.

Terrain and Travel

  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Problems

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices may be weak and reactive to human triggers. Give them a wide berth when travelling on ridges. They are a significant hazard alone and may produce large slab avalanches as they fall onto the slope below. Cornice falls are more likely when the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New wind slabs could form in the alpine.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 25th, 2022 4:00PM

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