Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 29th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada wlewis, Avalanche Canada

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Kootenay Boundary.

Overnight refreezing of the snowpack may be poor. If you find wet and heavy surface snow in the morning minimize your exposure to avalanche terrain as wet avalanches are more likely. 

Watch for changing conditions throughout the day. 

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to difficult to forecast freezing levels.

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear skies with light southwest winds. Freezing levels peak at 2500 m overnight, and cools into the morning. 

WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with moderate southwest winds (strong gusts possible). Light snowfall with 5-10 cm possible. Snowfall is likely to be convective flurries, and accumulations favour Kootenay Pass. Freezing levels around 1800 m, alpine high +4. 

THURSDAY: A mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate westerly winds. Isolated flurries possible. Freezing levels peak at 1500 m, alpine highs of +1.

FRIDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with light southwest winds. Freezing levels reach 1800 m. Alpine highs of +4. 

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, several loose wet avalanches were reported to size 2, including a cornice fall triggering the slope below. 

Wet avalanche activity is expected to continue during this warm weather pattern. 

Snowpack Summary

The upper snowpack is going through a daily melt-freeze cycle. A crust exists on all aspects to around 2500 m. Warm temperatures and sun are softening or breaking down the crust during the day and creating moist snow. At very low elevations, the snowpack may be wet and isothermal, depending on overnight freezing levels. 

At 40 to 70 cm below the snow surface, a sun crust exists on solar aspects, and weak surface hoar crystals sit on shaded aspects. This layer was buried in early March and produced surprising avalanches during the last storm and following warm days. Recent reports suggest this layer is now bonding well from the warm temperatures. 

The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

The snowpack may have little chance to recover overnight as freezing levels remain high. Warm temperatures and sun throughout the day will also quickly soften surface snow. 

Pay close attention to how thick and supportive the surface crust is throughout the day. Minimize your exposure to slopes with wet and heavy snow. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 30th, 2022 4:00PM

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