Avalanche forecast

South Columbia

Apr 24 – 25, 2022Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 4 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

Carefully assess the wind slab hazard as you gain elevation. New wind slabs could form throughout the day.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    New wind slabs could form in the alpine.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Cornices may be weak and reactive to human triggers. Give them a wide berth when travelling on ridges. They are a significant hazard alone and may produce large slab avalanches as they fall onto the slope below. Cornice falls are more likely when the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.

Confidence

Moderate - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Weather Forecast

Sunday night: No new snow expected. Freezing level falling to 1300 m. Moderate south wind.

Monday: Cloudy with light flurries bringing up to 10 cm of new snow at higher elevations. Moderate south winds and freezing levels rising to 2400 m.

Tuesday: stormy with 10 to 20 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations. Light to moderate southwest winds and freezing levels around 1800 m.

Wednesday: Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations. Light to moderate southwest winds and freezing levels around 1700 m.

Avalanche Summary

Natural wet loose avalanches up to size two have been observed on all aspects and elevations except high north facing terrain. We suspect that this kind of avalanche activity will continue due to warm temps.

Snowpack Summary

Dry snow and pockets of wind slab can still be found on high north facing terrain. Several crusts exist on solar aspects extending to mountain tops. Moist snow will likely be observed at treeline and below.

Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy. The snowpack deteriorates rapidly at lower elevations.

Terrain and Travel

  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Regions covered