Avalanche Forecast
Issued: May 1st, 2022 3:37PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet, Cornices and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Kate Ryan,
We are headed into an 'all melt- no freeze' state over the next few days.
Be sure your exit plan manages your exposure to solar slopes. Afternoon avalanche danger ratings could reach CONSIDERABLE tomorrow.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Limited overnight crust recovery with alpine temperature inversions.
Tonight: Mainly cloudy. Alpine low 1*C, freezing level (fzl) 1800m. Light south wind.
Mon: Mix sun and cloud. High 4*C, fzl 2500m. Wind light SE.
Tues: Mainly sunny. Low 1*C, High 4*C, fzl 2700m
Wed: Mix sun and cloud with isolated wet flurries. Low 0*C, High 3*C, fzl 2800m.
Snowpack Summary
We have 2 distinct snowpacks.
Below treeline the spring-time melt-freeze snowpack is solid in the morning, and breaks down with daytime warming.
In the Alpine, on N'ly slopes you'll find a more winterlike snowpack with settled dry powder, and variable crusty surfaces on solar aspects.
Cornices are large and looming.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous large (size 2-2.5) loose wet avalanches occurred today from all aspects in steep paths along the highway corridor. There was also a notable very large (size 3) cornice release in the Grizzly highway path. Most of these avalanches are entraining surface snow only, but a couple steep S'ly paths are starting to see some gouging deeper.
Confidence
Problems
Loose Wet
Watch for moist/wet avalanches during peak daytime warming. Steeper sunny slopes and areas with a thin snowpack are the most affected by solar radiation.
- Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.
- Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Warming temperatures and strong solar radiation will weaken these sleepy giants. Give them respect!
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
With a few nights of limited surface crust recovery at treeline, this layer may wake up as freezing levels continue to climb. If triggered, this deep layer (down 1.5-2m in the snowpack!) will result in very large, very destructive avalanches.
- If triggered the loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Plan to finish your tour early.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: May 2nd, 2022 4:00PM
