Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 11th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada mconlan, Avalanche Canada

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Wind slabs may be found in steep terrain at high elevations.

Summary

Confidence

High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with isolated snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 20 to 30 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -10 C.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with isolated snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 20 to 30 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -10 C.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 10 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -10 C.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 10 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -10 C.

Avalanche Summary

A few small loose avalanches were observed out of steep terrain on Sunday. Otherwise, no recent avalanches were reported.

Looking forward, wind slabs could be triggered by riders out of steep terrain at high elevations. Best to stay well back of cornices too, as they are very large at this time of year.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20 cm of dry, wind-affected snow sits above a hard melt-freeze crust in the alpine. Wind slabs may be found in lee terrain features in the alpine from recent northeast wind. A surface melt-freeze crust is found at treeline and below, which may moisten during daytime heating.

Various melt-freeze crusts exist in the upper to middle snowpack, which reports suggest are bonding well. There are no deeper concerns at this time.

Terrain and Travel

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may be found in alpine terrain. Use caution entering steep slopes below ridges.

Aspects: North, South East, South, South West, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 12th, 2022 4:00PM