Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 2nd, 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 and Loose Wet.

Tim Haggarty,

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A low will start to influence the area with light precipitation Sunday afternoon that will build into heavier accumulations Monday.

The potential for a poor freeze, and possibly rain, may lead to a deterioration in the crusts BTL and maybe TL Monday.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A good freeze can be expected Sun AM under a brief ridge before a low pushes in through the afternoon. 5 cm of snow above about 1800m. A weaker freeze Mon AM as the low reaches the Rockies with 5-10 cm of snow overnight. SW winds will increase to moderate/strong with another 10-15 cm above 1900m. Rain is possible at lower elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Trace amounts of new snow now sits over surface melt-freeze crusts that can be found on all aspects up to approx. 2300m and higher on solar aspects. On high elevation north aspects, deeper dry snow persists with isolated thin wind slabs in the alpine. The mid-pack is well settled but has several persistent layers consisting of crusts and/or facets.

Avalanche Summary

Mistaya Lodge reported a sz 1.5 slab on a glacial ice feature, NE aspect , 30-40cm deep, that failed naturally within recent storm snow accumulations.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Reactive alpine slabs have been encountered over that last few days. Although small in size, these could be enough to send travelers tumbling down a face or couloir. Expect this problem to increase on Monday with new snow and increasing SW winds.

  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent loading has created reactive slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Watch the recovery and freezing levels carefully each night. Consider the potential impacts of heating in the form of Sun and rain especially at lower elevations as the low takes hold Sunday afternoon.

  • Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 3rd, 2022 4:00PM