Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 25th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

Watch for heightened avalanche conditions as you climb to elevations where recent snow has accumulated.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy skies, no precipitation, light wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures cool to -4 C.

TUESDAY: Cloudy, scattered flurries with 5-10 cm of snow above 1000 m, light wind from the south, treeline temperatures around -2 C.

WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, isolated flurries with trace amounts of snow above 1000 m, light wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures reach 0 C.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny skies, no significant precipitation, light wind from the west, treeline temperatures reach +2 C.

Avalanche Summary

Observations from the weekend were limited to a few small wet loose avalanches (size 1). With new snow accumulations at higher elevations, there will be potential for human-triggered slabs in the alpine over the next few days. Similar conditions existed last week when a slab avalanche caught a skier in the Sky Pilot area. It was triggered by a small wet loose avalanche on a northerly aspect in the alpine (see MIN report).

Snowpack Summary

Winter conditions persist at upper elevations, with stormy weather between Sunday and Tuesday bringing 15 to 30 cm of snow above 1200 m. Cool temperatures over the next few days should keep this snow dry, while sun-exposed slopes and lower elevations will likely turn moist or crusty. The lower snowpack is strong under the current cool weather, but large looming cornices remain a concern this time of year.

Terrain and Travel

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Unsettled weather between Sunday and Tuesday will deliver 15 to 30 cm of snow at upper elevations. This will leave the potential for wind slab avalanches on north and west facing slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Periods of sun could trigger wet loose avalanches in steep terrain.

Aspects: South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 28th, 2022 4:00PM