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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 17th, 2022–Apr 18th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Rockies.

Avalanche conditions are generally safe. As always, use caution around cornices and practice safe travel habits.

Confidence

High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear skies with no precipitation, 10 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -8 C.

MONDAY: Increasing clouds with afternoon snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 20 km/h southeast wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1700 m.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level 1500 m.

WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, 10 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

We did not receive any reports of avalanches on Saturday or Sunday.

Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network to supplement our data stream and help fellow recreationists.

Snowpack Summary

10 cm of consolidated snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust on shaded slopes at higher elevations. A surface crust is found on sun-exposed slopes up high and everywhere below treeline. Small pockets of old wind slabs may exist at high elevations from strong northeast wind. Always keep in mind that cornices are large and fragile at this time of year.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong, consisting of hard snow and various melt-freeze crusts.

Check out these pointers if you are considering big objectives.

Terrain and Travel

  • Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.