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 Cornices, Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
TRettie,
Avalanche Canada
Continuously assess for changing conditions as you move through terrain. Winter like conditions could still be found at higher elevations.
Summary
Confidence
Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
Monday night: Around 10 cm of new snow expected. Light to moderate southwest winds and freezing levels falling to 1200 m.
Tuesday: Cloudy with 5 cm of new snow expected. Light to moderate variable winds and freezing levels around 1800 m.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected with light to moderate southwest winds. Freezing level around 1800 m.
Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light southwest winds and freezing levels around 1900 m.
Avalanche Summary
Natural wet loose avalanches up to size 2.5 have been observed on all aspects and elevations except high north facing terrain over the past few days. In the neighboring South Columbia region a large natural cornice fall triggered a size three slab avalanche on the slope below. We suspect that wet loose avalanches will continue to be observed due to high freezing levels. Pockets of rider triggerable wind slab could also be found in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
Dry snow and pockets of wind slab can still be found on high north facing terrain. The upper snowpack contains several crusts that extend to mountain tops on solar aspects. Moist snow will likely be observed as the freezing level rises or the sun comes out.
Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy. The snowpack deteriorates rapidly at lower elevations.
Terrain and Travel
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
Problems
Cornices
Cornices may be weak and reactive to human triggers. Give them a wide berth when travelling on ridges. They are a significant hazard alone and may produce large slab avalanches as they fall onto the slope below. Cornice falls are more likely when the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Winter conditions will likely persist at higher elevations for the next few days. Winds slabs are possible. Keep an eye on new snowfall amounts and look for wind transport as you gain elevation.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
When the freezing level rises or the sun comes out wet loose avalanches will become likely. Back off slopes as the surface gets moist and avoid steep slopes above terrain traps where getting caught in even a small avalanche could be consequential.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 28th, 2022 4:00PM
