Avalanche forecast

Glacier

Apr 22 – 23, 2022
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Slap on your shades and lather up with sunscreen... warm temps and sunny skies mean spring conditions for the weekend - expect fast travel in the morning, and rising avalanche hazard as the day heats up.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Previous SW winds loaded up lee features. These slabs are up to 30 cm deep and sitting on top of a crust on all but northerly alpine aspects.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Cornices are LARGE and may be sensitive to temperature fluctuations, solar radiation, wind loading or just your mere presence nearby. Take necessary precautions if approaching them to access your line and limit your exposure below them.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Sun and warm temperatures will increase the hazard through out the day.

    Moist/wet surface snow, snowballing and water running on rocks are all signs of instability.

Weather Forecast

Sunny periods and elevated freezing levels (FZL) are forecast through Sunday.

Tonight: Clear periods, Alpine low -4*C, FZL 1500m, light ridge winds

Saturday: Sunny periods, Alpine high -1*C, FZL 2100m, light W wind

Sunday: Mostly sunny, low -2*C, high 0*C, FZL 2200m, moderate S wind

Mon: Isolated flurries, low -4*C, high 0*C, FZL 2100m, strong SW wind

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine, windslabs from SW winds will gain reactivity as temps rise. A breakable surface crust can be found up to 2400m.

The April 18th crust, down 5-30 cm, is widespread up to 2200m & on alpine solar aspects.

Below treeline, the snowpack has gone through several melt-freeze cycles & is capped by a crust that breaks down with daytime warming.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, there was a cycle of solar triggered size 1-2 loose snow avalanches on slopes where the sun popped out briefly, and one notable natural size 3 slab avalanche from a West aspect at treeline on Avalanche Crest (suspected to be windslab on the April 18th crust).

Neighbours have also been reporting reactive storm snow on the April 18th Crust.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Regions covered