Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 20th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.
TRettie,
Avalanche Canada
Continue to assess the wind slab hazard as you gain elevation.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Wednesday night: Light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow with moderate southeast winds. Low of -8 at 2000 m.
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy with light flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow with light to moderate southerly winds. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.
Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light westerly winds and freezing levels rising to 2000 m.
Saturday: Sunny with no new snow expected. Light northwest winds and freezing levels rising to 2200 m.
Avalanche Summary
A few size one skier controlled wind slab avalanches were reported on Tuesday. These avalanches were on northerly aspects at or above treeline.
We suspect small pockets of wind slab will remain reactive to rider traffic.
Snowpack Summary
Around 30 cm of recent storm snow overlies a variety of old surfaces including wind effected surfaces, facets and a crust on solar aspects. Below this another melt-freeze crust can be found on all aspects down 30 to 60 cm to 2200 m and mountain tops on solar slopes.
The late March crust layer is found 50 to 90 cm deep.
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
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New wind slabs will likely be found in exposed treeline and alpine terrain. These new slabs likely won't bond well to the underlying surfaces.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
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
Valid until: Apr 21st, 2022 4:00PM
