Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 7th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada wlewis, Avalanche Canada

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Watch for changing conditions as you move through different aspects and elevations. Small wind slabs may linger at higher elevations.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday a size 1 rider triggered wind slab was reported.

Avalanche activity has tapered off but reactivity remains possible on isolated features or where new wind loading is occurring. Observations are also limited at this point in the season, please post any information or photos you have on the Mountain Information Network to help guide our forecasts.

Snowpack Summary

Around 30 cm of recent snowfall is available at higher elevations to be/or have been redistributed into wind slabs on north facing terrain features. This sits over wind affected surfaces or a crust on south facing slopes that extends into the alpine.

The middle of the snowpack is strong and contains numerous hard crusts. Near the ground, weak faceted crystals exist. There hasn't been avalanche activity on this layer recently, but it remains on our radar as it may become active with abrupt changes to the snowpack, such as rapid loading (heavy snowfall or rain) or prolonged warming.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy, 5 cm of snow. Moderate to strong southerly winds, freezing levels around 1000 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with strong to extreme southerly winds. Up to 5 cm of snowfall again. Freezing levels 1000-1500 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with up to 10 cm of snow. Strong to extreme southerly winds. Freezing levels 1000-1500 m.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud with light snow possible. Freezing levels around 1000 m. Moderate southwest winds.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Expect small pockets of wind slab in isolated features around ridgelines. Recent snowfall has been minimal, wind slabs are likely older and more stubborn to human triggers now.

Check for wind slab above steep lines or in consequential terrain features.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 8th, 2023 4:00PM

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