Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 25th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Cornices and Loose Wet.
zryan,
Avalanche Canada
This will be the last forecast for the season, covering conditions through to Thursday when we make the transition to Spring Conditions.
Assess slopes as you travel and expect highly variable snow conditions with elevation, aspect, and time of day. Enjoy the spring skiing!
Summary
Confidence
Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT: Partially cloudy with isolated flurries. Freezing level lowering to 500 m. Light southerly winds.
TUESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with light isolated flurries. Freezing level rising to 1200 m in the afternoon. Light southerly winds.
WEDNESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with light isolated flurries. Freezing level rising to 1300 m in the afternoon. Light southwesterly winds.
THURSDAY: Mainly cloudy with light flurries. Freezing level rising to 1400 m in the afternoon. Light northwesterly winds.Â
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday and Sunday, numerous wet loose avalanches were observed from steep terrain at treeline and below (size 1-1.5). A few glide slabs released from rocky terrain below treeline (size 2).
In the north of the region over the weekend, a few natural wind slabs were reported in the alpine, failing in lee features directly below ridgelines (size 1-1.5).Â
Looking forward to this week, we suspect pockets of wind slabs will exist in lee areas in the alpine. Wet loose avalanches may occur on steep solar aspects during periods of warm temperatures and strong sun. Cornice falls will be most likely when the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 30 cm of recent snowfall above 2000 m tapers rapidly with elevation. This new snow overlies a heavily wind-affected surface in exposed terrain, the product of an intense wind event early last week. Moist or crusty surfaces exist to at least 1800 m on all aspects, and to mountain top on solar aspects. The mid and lower snowpack is generally strong, with no weak layers of concern at this time.
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent snowfall and southerly winds may have formed wind slabs in lee areas in the alpine.
Use caution entering lee terrain features below ridges. The snow could slide easily where it rests on a hard melt-freeze crust or faceted snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are large and looming. Exposure to cornices should be minimized, especially during periods of warm temperatures or strong sun. Give them a wide berth when you are travelling on ridgelines and avoid overhead exposure to large cornices.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Warm air and the sun can quickly destabilize the upper snowpack, causing loose wet avalanches on steep, sun-exposed slopes.
Keep in mind that the snowpack can quickly lose strength when heat penetrates to deeper layers. Check for good overnight recovery - avoid slopes that do not get an overnight re-freeze.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 28th, 2022 4:00PM
