Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 17th, 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 Cornices.

Avalanche Canada wlewis, Avalanche Canada

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South Coast Inland.

Fresh snow brings fresh potential for reactive wind slabs to build. Watch for wind affected snow as you move to higher elevations. 

Cornices remain a hazard - manage your exposure as you move below them on slopes, and as you travel along ridgelines. 

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain. Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Moderate south/south easterly winds. Freezing levels fall to 1000 m by morning. 

MONDAY: Snow begins early morning with 5-10 cm expected. Freezing levels reach 1500 m. Strong southeast winds ease over the day. A further 10-20 cm is possible overnight. 

TUESDAY: Cloudy up to 5 cm of snow over the day. Freezing levels reach 1000 m. Moderate westerly winds. 

WEDNESDAY: Clearing skies with no snowfall expected. Moderate easterly winds. Freezing levels rise to 1300 m.  

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, small wet avalanches were reported on south facing terrain features, during strong afternoon sunshine. 

Several cornice falls have been reported over the last 5 days, indicating that they are weak and responsive to natural and human triggers. 

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10 cm of new snow is expected by Monday afternoon. This is expected to form small wind slabs in exposed terrain features at higher elevations, mainly on west and north facing slopes, as strong south-southeast winds are forecast. These wind slabs will form over wind affected surfaces, and on a crust on south facing slopes. 

The mid and lower snowpack is considered strong at this time, consisting of hard snow and melt freeze crusts. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Large cornice falls are dangerous on their own.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Expect reactive wind slabs to form with new snow and south-southeast winds. Watch for wind loading around ridgelines and mid slope rollovers. 

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices may be weak and reactive to human triggers. They are a significant hazard alone, and may produce large slab avalanches as they fall onto the slope below. Cornice falls are more likely as temperatures warm each day, or when strong sunshine is present. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 18th, 2022 4:00PM

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