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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 16th, 2022–Apr 17th, 2022

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

Regions

North Rockies.

Watch for wind slabs in steep alpine terrain and be mindful of your exposure to cornices.

Observations are limited at this time of year. Let us know what you are seeing by filling out a MIN report!

Confidence

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Partially cloudy, light precipitation. Alpine temperature drops to -7 °C. Light easterly winds. 

SUNDAY: Partially cloudy, light precipitation. Alpine temperature rising to -2 °C. 10-30 km/h winds from the southeast. Freezing level rising to 1400 metres.

MONDAY: Mainly cloudy, light precipitation. Alpine temperature rising to -1°C. 20-50 km/h winds from the southeast. Freezing level rising to 1400 metres.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperature rising to -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200 metres. 10-40 km/h wind from the southeast. 

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported. Information is limited at this time of year. Please consider submitting to the Mountain Information Network!

Looking forward, avalanche activity is unlikely given the current cool, unsettled weather trend. However, always be ready for the possibility of pockets of wind slabs in steep alpine terrain, cornice failures, and wet loose avalanches if the sun is out.

Snowpack Summary

Recent wind effect has left a variety of surfaces, including lingering wind slabs in alpine terrain. In more sheltered valleys, around 20-40 cm wind-affected snow covers crust on all aspects to 2000 m and mountain tops on solar aspects. Another prominent crust layer is found 40-70 cm deep. Below treeline, the snowpack is diminishing quickly. 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.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

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.