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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 12th, 2022–Apr 13th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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

South Columbia.

 

Strong northeasterly winds have reverse loaded slopes below alpine ridgetops. Recently formed wind slabs may be reactive to human triggers.

Use high points in the terrain such as ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Tuesday night: Mostly clear / Moderate east wind / Low of -17 / Freezing level valley bottom.

Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light east wind / High of -5 / Freezing level 800 m.

Thursday: Sunny / Light southeast wind / High of -3 / Freezing level 1100 m.

Friday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light west wind / High of -2 / Freezing level 1300 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, a skier triggered cornice failure triggered a small wind slab on the slope below. Additionally, a couple skier triggered size 1 wind slabs were reported on northwest aspects.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of recent snow sits on a melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects to at least 2200 m and up to mountain tops on solar aspects.

Recent strong northeasterly winds have formed wind slabs on lee aspects below ridgetops.

The prominent layer in the upper snowpack is a melt-freeze crust down 40-80 cm.

Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

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.