Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 9th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet and Wind Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Monitor surface snow and watch for changing conditions as you transition through aspect and elevations.
Wet avalanches are possible on south facing terrain features affected by strong sunshine & wind slabs may be reactive at higher elevations.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Freezing levels drop to 500 m. Light northerly winds.Â
SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with light easterly winds. Freezing levels reach 1000 m. Isolated flurries possible with trace amounts expected.Â
MONDAY: Mostly clear skies with light to moderate northeast winds. Freezing levels reach 1000 m.Â
TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with light snow, 5-10 cm expected. Moderate southwest winds. Freezing levels reach 800 m.Â
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Friday. We would expect small natural and human triggered avalanches out of wind loaded features at higher elevations.Â
Wet avalanche activity occurred on Thursday out of steep south facing features as the sun affected the surface snow.Â
Observations are very limited this time of year. If you are getting out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network.Â
Snowpack Summary
10-30 cm of new snow can be found at high elevations, sitting over a melt freeze crust or moist snow. Strong southwest winds have redistributed this storm snow into pockets of wind loading on north and east facing slopes.Â
A widespread and supportive melt freeze crust is buried 60-110 cm deep, below recent settling storm snow. This crust has produced avalanches within the last 5 days, however recent reports suggest that this crust is bonding well to the snow above it.Â
Lower elevations hold a widespread crust that may soften over the day on south facing slopes during periods of sun. The middle and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded.
Terrain and Travel
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Problems
Loose Wet
Watch for wet surface snow on south facing slopes as the sun affects recent storm snow for the first time.
Warming will be most significant on steep slopes, and around rock features.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Pockets of wind loading may be found at higher elevations. Wind slabs are expected to remain reactive where they sit over a crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 10th, 2022 4:00PM
