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 Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
ghelgeson,
Avalanche Canada
The appearance of the strong April sun may initiate a round of loose avalanche activity. Take care to plot a route that keeps you from being on or under steep south facing slopes and watch for isolated pockets of wind slab, especially around ridge crest.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the extreme variability of wind effect on the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT: Trace of snow possible, light north wind, freezing level at valley bottom.
SUNDAY: Broken cloud cover in the morning giving way to just a few clouds in the late afternoon, no significant precipitation expected, light east/northeast wind, freezing level beginning at valley bottom, rising to around 1000 m in the afternoon.Â
MONDAY: Just a few clouds for most of the day with cloud cover increasing to broken in the late afternoon, potential for some light flurries/rain in the afternoon, moderate south wind, freezing level beginning at valley bottom, rising to around 900 m in the afternoon.Â
TUESDAY: A few clouds, no significant precipitation expected, strong east/northeast wind, freezing level at valley bottom.
Avalanche Summary
On Friday we received some observations of an avalanche cycle that occrued during the storm which produced avalanches up to size 3. Activity is expected to continue to decrease with the warm to cool temperature trend.
On Thursday, reported avalanche activity included pinwheeling on south facing slopes and some loose dry avalanches in steep terrain. A size 2 skier triggered storm slab at 1300 m was also reported.
On Wednesday, a large (size 2) wind slab released naturally on an east aspect in the alpine. A small (size 1) wind slab avalanche was observed in a cross-loaded feature near ridgetop.Â
Snowpack Summary
10 to 50 cm of recent storm snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust. (In some of the snowier places in the region, you may find as much as 80 cm over the crust.)Â
Cornices are very large and exposure to them should be minimized, especially during warm or windy weather.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Brief periods of sun could quickly initiate natural avalanche activity.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Problems
Wind Slabs
20 to 50+ cm of recent storm snow now rests on a crust. Although the warm to cool temperature trend is helping the snow to settle and bond, human triggered avalanches remain possible this weekend, especially in wind loaded terrain features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Although temperatures remain seasonally cool, the sun packs a lot of punch this time of year. Take care to avoid being on or underneath south facing slopes that are baking in the sun, especially after lunch.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 10th, 2022 4:00PM
