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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 15th, 2022–Apr 16th, 2022

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.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Lizard-Flathead.

Weather and avalanche forecasts are conducive for great mountain adventures, but be very wary of cornices failing when traveling on ridgetops. 

Looking at appoaching big lines? Make sure to read this new blog. 

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Not much change as the broad upper trough is still in place. Cool and unstable conditions, combined with daytime heating, will likely give scattered flurries across the southern part of the province. Warmer and closer to seasonal temperatures will arrive on Sunday and Monday.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear skies / light variable wind / treeline high around -8 C / freezing level at valley bottom.

SATURDAY: Mainly sunny with increasing cloudiness in the afternoon / light to moderate east wind / treeline high around -4 C / freezing level rising to 1300 m / Light snow accumulations (2-4 cm) overnight

SUNDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries / light to moderate southwest wind / treeline high around -2 C / freezing level rising to 1300 m.

MONDAY: Increasing cloudiness / light south wind / treeline around 0 C / freezing level rising to 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

Observations are limited this time of year. No new avalanches were observed in the last few days.  

If you are getting out in the backcountry, please consider contributing to the Mountain Information Network by sharing snow / riding conditions. 

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of snow sits over a widespread melt-freeze crust which formed during the major warming event on April 8. Periods of strong wind from the northeast through southeast earlier this week have redistributed the snow in exposed high elevation terrain forming wind slabs that are now expected to have stabilized in most areas. Cornices have likely grown large recently, but are expected to be relatively stable with the current temperatures. A new sun crust may now be forming on steep sun-exposed slopes. 

Multiple crusts exist in the upper snowpack, which are currently considered stable and well bonded with the ongoing cold conditions. The middle and lower snowpack are currently well settled and strong.

Terrain and Travel

  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

Problems

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.