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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 24th, 2022–Apr 25th, 2022

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

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Be aware of heightened avalanche conditions in alpine terrain where there are hazards from cornices and wind slabs.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with flurries brining 5-10 cm of snow above 1500 m, 30-50 km/h wind from the south, treeline temperatures around -1 C.

MONDAY: Unsettled weather with clouds and scattered flurries bringing 5-10 cm of snow above 1300 m, 20-40 km/h wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures drop to -3 C.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy, isolated flurries with up to 5 cm of snow above 1300 m, 20 km/h wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures around -5 C.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy, isolated flurries with trace amounts of snow above 1200 m, 20 km/h wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures around -6 C.

Avalanche Summary

Although observations are limited right now, there were a few reports of small wet loose avalanches (size 1) on sun-exposed slopes on Friday and Saturday. Looking ahead to Monday, there could be some new wind slabs forming in areas that receive more than 15 cm of snow.

Snowpack Summary

By Monday afternoon there could be 5 to 15 cm of new snow above 1300 m, possibly forming a few new wind slabs in steep alpine terrain. At treeline and above, this snow will fall on a melt-freeze crust, while lower elevations will have moist and rain soaked surfaces. Some dry snow has been reported above 2000 m on north aspects. The lower snowpack should be strong under the current cool weather, but large looming cornices remain a concern this time of year.

Terrain and Travel

  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.

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.