Avalanche forecast

North Rockies

Apr 17 – 18, 2022Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Avalanche activity is unlikely given the current cool and cloudy weather.

Continue to be mindful of your exposure to cornices when travelling on and below ridgelines.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Cornices may be weak and reactive to human triggers. Give them a wide berth when travelling on ridges. They are a significant hazard alone and may produce large slab avalanches as they fall onto the slope below. Cornice falls are more likely when the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.

Confidence

High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Partially cloudy with isolated flurries. Treeline temperatures dropping to -5 C. 20-30 km/h wind from the southeast.

MONDAY: Mainly cloudy with light flurries. Treeline temperatures rise to -3 C. 25-40 km/h wind from the southeast.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with precipitation, 5 cm of accumulation above 1000 m, rain below. Treeline temperatures rising to -3 C. 30-50 km/h wind from the northeast. 

WEDNESDAY: Partially cloudy, isolated flurries. Treeline temperatures rising to -1 C. Light winds from the southeast. 

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported. Information is limited at this time of year. Please consider submitting to the Mountain Information Network!

Snowpack Summary

Recent wind effect has left a variety of surfaces, including lingering wind slabs in alpine terrain. In more sheltered valleys, around 20-40 cm wind-affected snow covers crust on all aspects to 2000 m and mountain tops on solar aspects. Another prominent crust layer is found 40-70 cm deep. Below treeline, the snowpack is diminishing quickly. 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

  • Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.

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