Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 10th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
rgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
Precipitation will continue to accumulate today as the temperature begins to cool.
It will be winter up high and spring in the valley. Keep an eye on changing conditions.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Near Kootenay Pass on Saturday, there was an accidental skier-triggered storm slab avalanche. It was on a north aspect at treeline. The triggered point was on a convex roll.
Also on Saturday, a little further north, near Whitewater, there was another storm slab avalanche that was accidentally triggered by a skier. This one was a size two and was also on a north aspect and started in the alpine at a depth of 15 to 20 cm down.
Snowpack Summary
By the end of the day Tuesday, parts of our region will see more than 40 mm of precipitation fall. Due to a high freezing level much of this will be rain with snow at higher elevations. South to southwest winds will redistribute any available snow at higher elevations. End of the day Monday may see around 40 cm accumulation. There is a widespread crust down 30 to 50 cm, except on north-facing slopes at treeline and above, where it sits on old, faceted surfaces, and surface hoar in some areas.
The mid-pack is generally well-settled.
In some areas, the lower snowpack includes a layer of weak facets near the ground. No recent avalanches have been reported on this layer. However, we continue to track the layer and watch for any signs of it becoming active again.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy, up to 25 cm accumulation of wet snow at higher elevations with more around Kootenay Pass, winds southwest 20 to 30 km/h gusting to 50, freezing levels cooling to 1600 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy, 15 to 25 cm accumulation with the highest amounts to the east, winds southwest 30 to 40 km/h, freezing levels 1500 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with sunny breaks, up to 10 cm accumulation by morning, winds west 15 km/h, freezing levels starting at 500 m and climbing to 1500 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with sunny periods, trace accumulation, winds west 10 to 20 km/h, freezing levels climbing back up to 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of strong wind.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Much of our region has and will continue to experience heavy amounts of precipitation. Warm temperatures will have this fall as rain at lower elevations and as heavy wet snow at higher elevations. Moderate to strong southwest winds all also associated with this storm.
Whether it is rain, heavy snow, or a large wind deposit of snow, avalanche activity is expected to increase.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 11th, 2023 4:00PM
