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 Persistent Slabs.
Jonas Hoke,
Conditions at lower elevations will be firm as a result of the cooling temps, but winter snow can still be found on high north aspects.
Enter your line cautiously, there is a fresh windslab problem to manage.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Cooling temps and convective flurries are the current pattern.
Tonight: Clear periods, Alpine low -12*C, Light NW ridgetop wind
Sunday: Sun to start, convective flurries in the PM, High -8*C, Freezing level (FZL) 1100m, Light NE wind
Mon: Mainly sunny, Low -14*C, High -9*C, FZL 900m, Light E wind
Tue: Sunny periods, Low -17*C, High -11*C, Light E wind
Snowpack Summary
Below treeline the spring snowpack has undergone several melt-freeze cycles.
Up high, mod-strong SW wind is redistributing up to 15cm of new snow, which overlies a crust on all but N'rly alpine slopes where it's on settled dry snow.
Persistent crust layers from late March, and the deeply buried Dec 1st crust, may awaken with large triggers/cornices.
Avalanche Summary
Neighboring operations have seen sporadic very large avalanches failing on persistent/deep persistent crust layers recently.
Glide cracks have been on the move lately, with a size 2 glide slab avalanche from the S aspect of Mt. Tupper early on Saturday, a size 3 from S Mt. Tupper on Friday, and another size 3 from the S side of Cheops on Wednesday.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and moderate winds have built fresh windslabs in lees. These may sit over a crust on slopes with sun exposure.
- Watch for shooting cracks or stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
The March 31 crust is down 30-70 cm, and was reactive to skier triggering locally early in the week.
The March 31st and Dec 1st crust (near the base of the snowpack) have been producing sporadic large to very large natural avalanches nearby recently.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger the persistent slab.
- If triggered small avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 10th, 2022 4:00PM
