Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 5th, 2022–Apr 6th, 2022

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Little Yoho.

Recent new snow amounts are highly variable which contributes to a fair amount of uncertainty with the hazard rating. Expect to see a wide variety of surface conditions and be ready to adjust your expectations based on what you see in the terrain.

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure will build Wednesday with weakening ridge top winds through the day and mostly sunny skies by the afternoon. Freezing levels from 1600-1800m expected on Wednesday, falling to valley bottom Wednesday night. Thursday will be mostly sunny with rising freezing levels and SW winds increasing to strong by Friday AM.

Snowpack Summary

10-15cm of recent storm snow sits on a crust that can be found on all aspects up to ~2300m and higher on solar aspects. Variable snow depths, some high alpine areas on the Divide report up to 30cm dry surface snow. Consistent winds have formed fresh windslabs in lee terrain. Some loose wet avalanches are expected in the afternoon below treeline.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous avalanches were reported on Sunday out of high alpine terrain on the Divide: Cornice on Kindergarten Couloir, avalanche on the Stanley Headwall, sluffs with a partial burial on the Bell Couloir, sluffs on Mt. Victoria. On Tuesday the local ski hills reported explosive triggered wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5 out of lee alpine terrain.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow amounts are extremely variable but high alpine areas have seen fresh snow and wind over the past 48-hours which will have formed windslabs.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent loading has created reactive slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Wet

This is generally an afternoon problem at low elevations. Ice climbers should ensure they are finished their routes early and be out of any gullies by mid-day at the latest.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2