Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 3rd, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada dsaly, Avalanche Canada

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Wind slabs may remain reactive especially around ridges and steep, unsupported features or where they have formed over a crust.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Sunday night: Unsettled with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Moderate southeast wind overnight. Ridgetop low -12 C.

Monday: Unsettled with flurries in the afternoon, trace to 10 cm. Moderate southeasterly wind. Ridgetop high reaching -3 C.

Tuesday: Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm. Moderate westerly wind. Ridgetop high -6 C.

Wednesday: Flurries. Moderate and increasing southeasterly wind. Ridgetop high -6 C.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, a small 3 m wide wind slab, 10-30 cm thick, was easily triggered by workers shoveling cornices.

On Thursday, a couple of small (size 1) wind slabs were reactive to skiers, about 15 cm deep on a north aspect. Otherwise, there have been no recent avalanche observations since earlier in the week when natural cornice falls were observed throughout the region.

Snowpack Summary

Recent south-southeast wind redistributed 5-15 cm recent snow into pressed surfaces and wind slab at treeline and higher. Below recent snow, a crust can be found on all aspects and elevations except high north terrain where cold snow prevailed through recent warm temperatures. Large overhanging cornices have also been observed in the region, may be larger and touchier from the recent wind event.

A couple of layers of weak crystals in the upper snowpack appear to be bonding well according to recent observations and snowpack tests. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may remain reactive especially where they have formed over a crust. With recent strong winds, slabs may lurk further downslope or in less common locations.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Large overhanging cornices have been observed in the region. Limit your exposure to these hazards. A falling cornice could easily trigger a wind slab on the slope below.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

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