Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 23rd, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Wet and Cornices.
zryan,
Avalanche Canada
Reactive wind slabs may exist in lee terrain features. Wet avalanche activity is likely at lower elevations with a poor overnight refreeze.
Localized areas in the south may receive more than 20 cm of new snow Saturday night. Treat the danger as CONSIDERABLE in these areas.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with rain at lower elevations and snow up high, 5 to 15 cm of new snow accumulation. Freezing level remains elevated at around 1400 m. Strong to extreme southerly wind.
SUNDAY: Cloudy with rain at lower elevations and snow up high, 5 to 15 cm of new snow accumulation. Freezing level around 1300 m. Moderate to strong southerly winds.
MONDAY: Mainly cloudy with light flurries, up to 5 cm of new snow accumulation at higher elevations. Freezing level around 1100 m. Light to moderate southerly winds.
TUESDAY: Partially cloudy with isolated flurries. Freezing level around 1000 m. Light southeasterly winds.
Avalanche Summary
A small skier-triggered wind slab was reported near Terrace on Wednesday (size 1). This avalanche occurred on a convex roll in the alpine and failed on a slick melt-freeze crust.
Numerous wet loose avalanches (size 1-2) were observed on steep solar aspects on Thursday afternoon as a result of strong solar radiation.
Looking forward to Sunday, fresh wind slabs are expected to be reactive to human-triggering in the alpine, particularly where they overlie a crust, faceted snow, or surface hoar. Wet loose avalanches will be likely at low elevations with rain and warm temperatures.
Snowpack Summary
New snow and southerly winds are expected to create fresh deposits of wind slab in the alpine and treeline. This 5-20 cm of new snow overlies heavily wind-affected and facetted surfaces, the product of strong outflow wind and cold temperatures early last week. A crust can be found on steep solar aspects. Below 1200 m, rain and warm temperatures are expected to have broken down the surface crust and the snowpack may become isothermal. Above 1200 m, 40-100 cm overlies another hard melt-freeze crust from late March.
Terrain and Travel
- Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and southerly winds are expected to form fresh and reactive wind slabs in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
Use caution entering lee terrain features below ridges. The snow could slide easily where it rests on a hard melt-freeze crust, surface hoar, or facetted snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Rain at lower elevations may cause the snowpack to become isothermal, producing wet loose activity on steep slopes at treeline and below.
Back off if you encounter wet snow that is unsupportive to your weight.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are large this time of year and may become weak with warm temperatures. Exposure to cornices should be minimized, especially during periods of warm temperatures or strong sun. Give them a wide berth when you are travelling on ridgelines and avoid overhead exposure to large cornices.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 24th, 2022 4:00PM
