Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 2nd, 2021 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada JSmith, Avalanche Canada

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Light amounts of snow and moderate to strong southwesterly winds will continue to form fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Stay alert to changing conditions with elevation and aspect to avoid wind-loaded slopes. 

Summary

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

  

  

FRIDAY NIGHT: Flurries; 3-5 cm. / Strong, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -8 / Freezing level valley bottom.

SATURDAY: Snow; 5-10 cm. / Moderate, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 1 / Freezing level 900 m.

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Moderate, northwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 0 / Freezing level 900 m.

MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Strong, west ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 0 / Freezing level 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were reported in this region on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong winds from shifting directions have formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above on a variety of aspects. A firm crust exists at lower elevations.

Buried 70-120 cm. deep, a spotty layer of surface hoar may exist on sheltered north aspects, but no recent avalanches have been reported on this layer.

The mid and lower snowpack is reported as well settled and strong in most areas. However, weak facets exist at the base of the snowpack in the more shallow snowpack zones within much of the region and have the potential to be triggered on steep, rocky slopes with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack; especially with large loads such as a cornice fall.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Moderate to strong southwesterly winds are forming fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Use caution when transitioning into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices are large and looming along many ridgelines, and have likely grown with the recent wind. They are capable of triggering large avalanches when they fail.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 3rd, 2021 4:00PM

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