Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 2nd, 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 Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

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Watch for the formation of thin wind slabs, especially near ridgecrest and remember that even brief periods of sunshine may initiate loose wet avalanche activity in the bit of snow that fell Saturday.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: No significant precipitation expected, light west/southwest wind, freezing level near valley bottom.

SUNDAY: A few clouds at dawn building to overcast by lunch, a few cm of snow possible during the day, moderate southwest wind, freezing level around 1700 m. 2 to 10 cm expected Sunday night.

MONDAY: Overcast, 1 to 5 cm of snow possible, strong southwest wind, freezing level around 1700 m. Another 1 to 3 cm possible Monday night.

TUESDAY: Broken cloud cover, no significant precipitation expected, moderate west wind, freezing level around 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

A bit of new snow and wind Saturday may form some thin new wind slabs that rest on a slippery crust.

No new avalanches have been reported since Tuesday, when natural wet avalanches were reported on steep sun affected slopes to size 1. 

Snowpack Summary

The region picked up a bit of new snow Saturday, by day's end Castle was showing almost 10 cm on their storm board which is coming in with a bit of southwest wind.

Previous to this, snow conditions were getting a little desperate as evidenced in this MIN report from our field team. The upper snowpack is going through a daily melt-freeze cycle. A crust exists on all aspects to around 2500 m and likely to mountain top on sun affected slopes. Warm temperatures and sun are softening or breaking down the crust during the day and creating moist snow. At very low elevations, the snowpack may be wet and isothermal, depending on overnight freezing levels.

Below 1700 m, the snowpack has been reported as being moist to ground, and is becoming isothermal.

Terrain and Travel

  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Fresh thin wind slabs are expected to form Saturday night and will likely be most prevalent near ridgecrest.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Even brief periods of strong April sun may initiate loose wet avalanche activity in the new snow.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

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