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Avalanche Forecast

Apr 1st, 2022–Apr 2nd, 2022
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: South Rockies.

Expect firm conditions in the morning, potentially softening with sun and warm temperatures throughout the day. Wet avalanches become more likely on south facing slopes as the surface crust breaks down, and snow becomes wet and heavy. 

Confidence

Low - Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Freezing level around 1000 m, no significant snowfall expected, light southwest wind.

SATURDAY: Scattered cloud with some clearing in the early evening, no significant snowfall expected, light variable wind, freezing level around 1800 m.

SUNDAY: A few clouds at dawn building to overcast by lunch, a few cm of snow possible, moderate southwest wind, freezing level around 1800 m. 4 to 10 cm possible Sunday night.

MONDAY: Overcast, 8 to 20 cm of snow possible, strong southwest wind, freezing level around 1900 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported since Tuesday, when natural wet avalanches were reported on steep sun affected slopes to size 1. 

Snowpack Summary

A good snapshot of the current conditions can be found in this MIN report from our field team. The upper snowpack is going through a daily melt-freeze cycle. A crust exists on all aspects to around 2500 m and likely to mountain top on sun affected slopes. Warm temperatures and sun are softening or breaking down the crust during the day and creating moist snow. At very low elevations, the snowpack may be wet and isothermal, depending on overnight freezing levels.

Below 1700 m, the snowpack has been reported as being moist to ground, and is becoming isothermal.

Terrain and Travel

  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Warm temperatures and sun throughout the day may soften the surface crust and weaken the upper snowpack. 

Pay close attention to how thick and supportive the surface crust is throughout the day. Minimize your exposure to slopes with wet and heavy snow. 

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2