Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 7th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
6am update: New snow and strong winds are building deep pockets of cohesive slab on north and east aspects at higher elevations. Dial back your terrain choices if you are finding more than 20 cm of new snow.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday, several natural loose wet size 1-1.5 avalanches were reported on solar aspects.
On Wednesday, a few skier accidental, size 1, wind slab avalanches were reported on a northwest aspect at 2100 m. In steep north facing alpine terrain power sluffing from skier traffic was reported to easily gain mass and become loose dry avalanches up to size 1.5.
Snowpack Summary
+10 cm of recent storm snow overlies 15-30 cm of soft snow. A widespread crust is found down 20-40 cm, except on north-facing slopes at treeline and above, where it sits on old, faceted surfaces, and surface hoar in some areas.
The mid-pack is generally well-settled.
In some areas, the lower snowpack includes a layer of weak facets near the ground. No recent avalanches have been reported on this layer. However, we continue to track the layer and watch for any signs of it becoming active again.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with flurries, up to 10 cm accumulation. Ridgetop wind 40 km/h from the southwest. Freezing levels remain at 1500 m.
Saturday
Mainly cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Ridgetop wind 40 km/h from the southwest. Freezing levels 1700 m.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. Isolated flurries bring mixed precipitation, trace accumulation. Ridgetop wind 40 km/h gusting to 70 km/h from the southwest. Freezing levels 2000 m.
A storm impacts the region overnight bringing 10-20 mm of mixed precipitation and 2100 m freezing levels.
Monday
Cloudy with mixed precipitation, 35-50 mm accumulation. Ridgetop wind 60 km/h gusting to 80 km/h from the southwest. Freezing levels 2500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
- Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and strong southwest winds are building deep pockets of fresh wind slabs on leeward slopes. Look for signs of instability especially as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 8th, 2023 4:00PM
