Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 21st, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Cornices.

Avalanche Canada zryan, Avalanche Canada

Avalanche conditions are generally safe. Watch for small pockets of wind slabs in steep terrain and remember that cornices are large and fragile.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Partially cloudy with the chance of light flurries. Light southwesterly winds. Freezing level lowering to 500 m.

FRIDAY: Mainly cloudy with light flurries in the afternoon. Light southwesterly winds. Freezing level rising to 1500 m. Treeline temperatures around -1 C.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, up to 5 cm of accumulation. Moderate to strong southerly winds. Freezing level rising to 1500 m. Treeline temperatures around -1 C.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with light flurries. Light to moderate southwesterly winds. Freezing level rising to 1300 m. Treeline temperatures around -3 C.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported over the past week. 

Reports are limited at this time of year. Please let us know what you're seeing by filling out a MIN report!

Snowpack Summary

A light amount of new snow has landed on heavily wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain, the product of an intense wind event early last week. In sheltered areas, the flurries may have added to limited stashes of soft, potentially faceted snow. A crust will likely be found on steep solar aspects and at low elevations from warm temperatures and sun yesterday. A more widespread melt-freeze crust can be found 20 to 50 cm deep in most areas, and up to 80 cm in the snowiest parts of the region. This crust is near the surface below 1200 m.

Terrain and Travel

  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Problems

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices are large this time of year and were likely weakened by recent cold temperatures. 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 ridge lines and avoid overhead exposure to large cornices. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Apr 22nd, 2022 4:00PM