Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
New snow and gusty winds at ridge-top will have created reactive wind slabs in immediate Alpine and upper Treeline lee features.
Avalanche forecast
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Apr 19 – 20, 2022
Archived · expired 4 years ago
Avalanche danger
Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Highlights
A fresh dusting in the hills has dressed them up. Wind slabs, fragile cornices, and daytime warming are the biggest concerns, but don't forget about the widening glide cracks!
The weekend warming trend may finally usher in true Spring conditions.
Avalanche problems
Cornices
NNEESESSWWNW- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Unlikely - Possible
- Size
- 1.5–3
Cornices are LARGE and may be sensitive to temperature fluctuations, solar radiation, wind loading or just your mere presence nearby. Take necessary precautions if approaching them to access your line and limit your exposure below them.
Weather Forecast
Cool mornings with freezing levels (FZL) peaking during mid-afternoon periods, the usual diurnal cycle.
Tonight: Cloudy with clear periods, FZL 700m, light to gusty mod S winds
Wed: Sun and cloud, Alp high -4*C, FZL 1800m, light S winds
Thurs: Sun, cloud, and isolated flurries, trace amounts, Alp high -1*C, FZL 2100m, light S winds
Snowpack Summary
Approx 20cm of new snow and strong, gusty SW winds at Treeline have buried a supportive crust (5-20cm thick, up to ~2200m) or variable soft to hard wind slab in the Alpine. Fresh wind slabs likely in lee areas Treeline and above. Expect warmish "dust on crust" as you ascend up valley, bring your glide wax!
Avalanche Summary
Natural activity has been minimal this past week, but likely to pick up with the new snow and winds.
Last week there was a sz 3 skier triggered (on belay) cornice fall off of Mt Bonney, as well as a close call when a small wind slab nearly took a skier into a crevasse!