Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 4th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada rgoddard, Avalanche Canada

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Wednesday may see wind slab growth at higher elevations as a system begins to arrive in our region.

Assess conditions as you travel through the backcountry and pay attention to the wind.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday there was a report of a skier-controlled wind slab in the alpine.

A small storm slab was triggered by a skier on an east aspect in the alpine in the Howson Range Saturday.

Other than these two there have been no new avalanches reported recently.

Snowpack Summary

By the end of the day on Wednesday, parts of our region may see up to 10 cm fall. This will be accompanied by moderate to strong southwest winds creating fresh wind slabs. The new snow and wind slabs will be sitting on a variety of surfaces. On polar slopes, around 20 cm of soft snow from the weekend will be preserved and buried. On solar slopes and at lower elevations, a crust may be what is getting buried.

The middle of the snowpack is strong and contains numerous hard crusts. Near the ground, weak faceted crystals exist. There hasn't been avalanche activity on this layer recently, but it remains on our radar as it may become active with abrupt changes to the snowpack, such as rapid loading (heavy snowfall or rain) or prolonged warming.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Increasing cloud cover, 2 cm accumulation, winds southwest 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperatures -5 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy, 5 cm accumulation, winds southwest 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperatures around -5 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy, 5 to 10 cm accumulation most of which will arrive by early morning, winds southwest 45 km/h, treeline temperatures getting up to 0 °C.

Friday

Cloudy up to 5 cm accumulation, winds southwest 25 to 35 km/h, treeline temperatures around -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Incoming weather Tuesday night and into Wednesday will see increased southwest winds and snowfall. Wind slabs may form in the immediate lees.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 5th, 2023 4:00PM

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