Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 22nd, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Cornices, Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
JSmith,
Avalanche Canada
Large cornice failures are more likely during periods of hot and sunny weather. Use caution when traveling on corniced ridgetops and limit your exposure to slopes with large cornices overhead.
Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive on lee features in the alpine.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Friday night: Partly cloudy / Light west wind / Low of -4 / Freezing level 1200 m.
Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southwest wind / High of 4 / Freezing level 1800 m.
Sunday: Sunny in the morning, then increasing cloud throughout the day and 10-15 cm snow overnight ( rain below around 1200 m) / Moderate south wind / High of 3 / Freezing level 1700 m.
Monday: Cloudy / Moderate southwest wind / High of 2 / Freezing level 1500 m.
Avalanche Summary
Several naturally triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on lee features in the alpine Thursday morning near Whistler.
We currently have very limited avalanche observation data from this region.
Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN). Photos of current conditions and avalanches are the most helpful.
Snowpack Summary
Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive on lee features in the alpine.
The recent snow is sitting on a variety of hard snow surfaces, including crusts and wind scoured snow.
Below this, there are several crusts in the upper snowpack. In areas where there are weak facets sitting on top of the crusts, there is potential for large natural avalanches when freezing levels reach mountain tops for multiple days.
Avoid large slopes and avalanche paths during periods of intense warming.
Cornices are very large and more prone to failure during periods of intense warming.
Terrain and Travel
- Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Avoid exposure to steep sun exposed slopes.
Problems
Cornices
Cornices may be weak and reactive to human triggers. They create a significant falling hazard, and can produce large slab avalanches as they fall onto the slope below.
Cornice failures are more likely during hot and sunny weather.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive on lee features in the alpine.
Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Small wet loose avalanches should be expected on steep, solar aspects when the sun comes out.
Avoid big, steep, alpine slopes that are getting cooked by the sun.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 23rd, 2022 4:00PM
