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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 13th, 2022–Apr 14th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Rockies.

Watch for wind slabs in steep alpine terrain as the cold winter-like conditions persist.

Confidence

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy along the eastern slopes and clear skies along the western slopes, 25-40 km/h wind from the northeast, treeline temperatures around -15 C.

THURSDAY: Cloudy along the eastern slopes and mostly clear skies along the western slopes, 20-35 km/h wind from the northeast, treeline temperatures warm to -10 C.

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind from the southeast, treeline temperatures warm to -8 C.

SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind, treeline temperatures warm to -4 C.

Avalanche Summary

The last reported avalanche activity is from Monday, when there were a few large natural and human-triggered wind slabs (size 2) on various aspects in alpine terrain. We suspect the reactivity of these wind slabs is diminishing under the current weather pattern.

Snowpack Summary

Recent wind has come from various directions and left some wind slabs lingering in alpine terrain. 20 to 40 cm of recent snow sits on a melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects to at least 2000 m. A sun crust likely extends to mountain tops on solar aspects. Another prominent crust layer is found 40 to 70 cm deep.

Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.