Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 2nd, 2015 9:26AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Warmth remains the main driver of avalanche hazard as we shift into a more spring like pattern. Minimize your exposure to large slopes if the snowpack is becoming moist or wet.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Expect a mix of sun and cloud on Friday. On Saturday, a pacific front will move inland bringing up to 5cm of snow. By Sunday, a short-lived ridge should bring mainly clear skies. Ridgetop winds should be light from the southwest, becoming moderate with Saturday's pulse. Daytime freezing levels should hover around 1500m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported, although I'm sure there has been some smaller wind slab activity in higher elevation lee terrain in response to recent snow and wind.

Snowpack Summary

Generally light amounts (1-10cm) of new snow overlie a supportive melt-freeze crust. These accumulations have been blown around by variable winds and new wind slabs may exist on a variety of aspects. In general, the upper snowpack is a mix of settled storm snow, moist snow and hard crusts. The mid-March crust/facet complex is buried up to 150 cm below the surface. This layer is generally considered dormant as long as cooler temperatures prevail. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Variable winds have shifted light snowfall into new wind slabs on a variety of aspects. These wind slabs may be particularly reactive due to underlying crusts.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.>Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below, but be careful with cornices!>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

Large cornices hang precariously over many ridge-lines. While cornice failure is problematic enough on its own, don't discount the ability for falling cornices to release bigger slab avalanches.

Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges. Remember that cornices become weak with daytime heating.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Apr 3rd, 2015 2:00PM