Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 19th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada TRettie, Avalanche Canada

 Carefully assess the wind slab hazard as you gain elevation. Limit exposure to slopes with cornices above. 

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Tuesday night: Flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow with moderate west winds shifting to light north. Low of -7 at 1600 m.

 

WEDNESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected. Light southeast winds and freezing levels rising to 1800 m.

 

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow with light southeast winds. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow with light northwest winds. Freezing level around 2100 m.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity the last week has primarily been large cornice failures on north and east-facing slopes. For the most part, these have not triggered avalanches on the slopes below.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 30 cm of new snow overlies a variety of surfaces including old wind effected surfaces, facets and a crust on solar aspects. Below this a melt-freeze crust can be found on all aspects down 20 to 40 cm to 2000 m and mountain tops on solar aspects. Moist snow will likely be observed on solar aspects as the sun comes out.

Another prominent crust layer is found 30-70 cm deep. 

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

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New wind slabs will likely be found in exposed treeline and alpine terrain. Winds have varied in direction over the past couple days so watch for wind slab on all aspects. These new slabs likely won't bond well to the underlying surfaces.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

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

Unlikely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

wet loose avalanches will likely occur in steep terrain as the sun comes out.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 20th, 2022 4:00PM

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