Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 13th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada rbuhler, Avalanche Canada

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While we expect the avalanche danger is generally low, continue to practice good travel habits and watch for signs of lingering wind slabs. 

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night: Partly cloudy, light east wind, treeline low around -15 °C.

Thursday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks, light east wind, treeline high around -8 °C.

Friday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks, light variable wind, treeline high around -6 °C.

Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate east wind, treeline high around -4 °C.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, the Avalanche Canada field team reported a few natural size 1-1.5 wind slabs in steep leeward features in the alpine. 

Observations are limited this time of year. If you are getting out in the backcountry, please consider contributing to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of aging storm snow has buried a widespread melt-freeze crust which formed during the major warming event on April 8. Periods of strong wind from the northeast through southeast on Monday and Tuesday have redistributed the recent snowfall in exposed high elevation terrain. 

Multiple crusts exist in the upper snowpack which are currently considered stable and well bonded with the ongoing cold conditions. The middle and lower snowpack are currently well settled and strong.

Terrain and Travel

  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

On Monday and Tuesday, wind from the northeast through southeast formed small reactive wind slabs. Now that the wind has eased, these wind slabs are generally expected to have stabilized. However, a few reactive slabs may still be lingering in steep or convex leeward features. 

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 14th, 2022 4:00PM