Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 2nd, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.
JSmith,
Avalanche Canada
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
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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
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
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 3rd, 2021 4:00PM
