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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 13th, 2022–Apr 14th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Lizard-Flathead.

While we expect the avalanche danger is generally low, continue to practice good travel habits and watch for signs of lingering wind slabs. 

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night: Partly cloudy, light east wind, treeline low around -15 °C.

Thursday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks, light east wind, treeline high around -8 °C.

Friday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks, light variable wind, treeline high around -6 °C.

Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate east wind, treeline high around -4 °C.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, the Avalanche Canada field team reported a few natural size 1-1.5 wind slabs in steep leeward features in the alpine. 

Observations are limited this time of year. If you are getting out in the backcountry, please consider contributing to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of aging storm snow has buried a widespread melt-freeze crust which formed during the major warming event on April 8. Periods of strong wind from the northeast through southeast on Monday and Tuesday have redistributed the recent snowfall in exposed high elevation terrain. 

Multiple crusts exist in the upper snowpack which are currently considered stable and well bonded with the ongoing cold conditions. The middle and lower snowpack are currently well settled and strong.

Terrain and Travel

  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.