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.
JSmith,
Avalanche Canada
Recent strong southwesterly winds formed wind slabs on lee aspects at treeline and above.
Use high points in the terrain such as ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Saturday night: Partly cloudy / Light northwest wind / Low of -11 / Freezing level valley bottom.
Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud with convective flurries, 0-3 cm / Light north wind / High of -3 / Freezing level 1100 m.
Monday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light east wind / High of -4 / Freezing level 900 m.
Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light east wind / High of -6 / Freezing level valley bottom.
Avalanche Summary
A couple natural and skier triggered wind slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported on northeast to southeast aspects at treeline and above on Friday.
Snowpack Summary
5-15 cm of new snow buries a breakable melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects to at least 2200 m.
Recent strong southwesterly winds formed wind slabs on lee aspects at treeline and above.
Recent avalanches have been failing on a melt-freeze crust down 60-80 cm. Occasionally, these avalanches have stepped-down to a rain crust formed in early December which resulted in some very large avalanches.
These large events are most likely to occur during periods of warming when freezing levels reach roughly 2500 m or higher.
Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent strong southwesterly winds formed wind slabs on lee aspects at treeline and above.
Use high points in the terrain such as ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 10th, 2022 4:00PM
