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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 23rd, 2022–Apr 24th, 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, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Rockies.

With a sunny spring day, check for good overnight re-freeze and make sure to be off slopes before they turn mushy or wet.

Confidence

High - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries and risk of thundershower, 10 km/h west wind, alpine low temperature -6 C, freezing level falling below 1600 m.

SUNDAY: Mostly clear skies, 10-20 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature +6 C, overnight freeze and daytime freezing level rising to 2500 m.

MONDAY: Cloudy with sunny breaks and isolated wet flurries, west wind gusting to 50 km/h, alpine high temperature +6 C.

TUESDAY: Wet flurries, 5-10 cm. West wind gusting to 30-50 km/h, alpine high temperature +1 C, daytime freezing level rising to 2300 m.

Avalanche Summary

We have not received reports of avalanche observations in the past few days.

Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network to supplement our data stream and help fellow recreationists.

Snowpack Summary

Sun and warm temperatures have moistened the snow up to 2300 m and all sun-exposed slopes. Cold, dry snow persists on more north-facing and shaded aspects in the alpine; in these areas use caution entering steep, lee terrain features below ridges, where wind slabs could be found. At ridge top, remember that cornices are large and looming.

Keep in mind that any snowpack can quickly loose strength when heat penetrates to deeper layers for the first time. Check for good overnight recovery - avoid slopes that do not get an overnight re-freeze.

Terrain and Travel

  • Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.