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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 4th, 2023–Apr 5th, 2023

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

Regions

Lizard-Flathead, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Moyie.

Unsettled, spring weather can deliver localized periods of intense sun or heavy snowfall, which can temporarily increase the avalanche hazard.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Reports over the weekend included several natural and explosive-triggered wind and storm slab avalanches, up to size 2 in the alpine.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow overlays variable old surfaces, including a hard crust on solar aspects and all aspects below 1700 m. Wind slabs persist in exposed lee terrain.

The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled. The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. This layer has not produced recent avalanche activity in this area, but professionals continue to monitor for signs of it becoming active.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Mostly clear, with periods of cloud and scattered flurries. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Alpine temperature -5 to -10 C. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Friday

Cloudy with flurries, 2 to 10 cm of snow. Moderate southwest ridgetop winds. Alpine temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing level 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Problems

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.