Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 14th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Cornices.

Avalanche Canada dsaly, Avalanche Canada

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Conditions are generally safe, but there are still isolated hazards from cornices and wind slabs. Check out the newest forecaster blog as you plan your spring objectives.

Summary

Confidence

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with starry breaks, light northeast-east wind, treeline temperatures dropping to -16 C.

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, isolated flurries with trace amounts of snow, light northeast wind, treeline temperatures warm to -6 C.

SATURDAY: Mostly sunny, light wind from the north, treeline temperatures warm to -3 C.

SUNDAY: Sunny, increasing southwest wind, treeline temperatures warm to 0 C

Avalanche Summary

A few large cornice failures (size 2) were reported on Monday and Tuesday, and a skier-triggered size 3 cornice reported Wednesday in Rogers Pass. There were also a few small (size 1) human-triggered wind slab avalanches in alpine terrain (see photos of this remotely-triggered wind slab from Wednesday).

Snowpack Summary

At treeline and above up to 20 cm recent snow covers a crust on all aspects to 2200 m and up to mountain tops on solar aspects. Recent northeast wind has formed wind slabs on lee aspects below ridgetops and left a variety of wind affected surfaces. Another prominent crust layer is found 40-80 cm deep.

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

  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Problems

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices are very large this time of year and pose a hazard when travelling on and below ridges.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 15th, 2022 4:00PM

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