Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 23rd, 2019 5:14PM

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

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

The best riding will likely be on high elevation north facing features, but travel with caution, as a buried weak layer may still be in play. Although temperatures have cooled slightly, loose wet avalanches remain a concern on Sunday.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

We're moving into a weather pattern more in keeping with seasonal norms. Monday night's storm should offer a nice refresh at upper elevations and temperatures should remain cool, at least through Wednesday morning.SATURDAY NIGHT: Light variable wind, freezing level around 2200 m, trace of snow possible. SUNDAY: Overcast, light variable wind, freezing level around 2200 m, 1 to 3 cm of snow possible at upper elevation. The freezing level should drop down to 1500 m Sunday night.MONDAY: Broken cloud cover, light to moderate southerly wind, freezing level holding around 2000 m, no significant precipitation expected during the day. The freezing level drops to about 1500 m Monday night with 2 to 6 mm of precipitation expected. This will likely start as rain at lower elevations and should produce a trace to 5 cm of snow above treeline, stay tuned for more details.TUESDAY: Overcast, moderate to strong southwest wind, freezing level around 1500 m, 1 to 5 cm of snow possible.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday natural loose wet activity to size 2 was reported throughout the region.

Snowpack Summary

Solar aspects are melting during the day and freezing at night. Only the upper 10 to 20 cm is re-freezing into a solid crust which typically breaks down by noon. Most solar slopes at lower elevations are becoming isothermal. You can still find dry, wintery snow on North facing slopes above 2000 m and variable wind effect remains. Two crusts exist in the upper snowpack and the bond of the overlying snow is our biggest concern. The first crust is down 20 to 30 cm and loose wet avalanches have recently slid on this interface. The deeper one down 60 to 95 cm has produced easy shears in test profiles. Avalanches on this interface are unlikely, but possible. This interface should become less of a concern with cooler temperatures early next week.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose wet activity is expected to continue on most aspects and elevations. Cornices are soft and weak. You don't want to be under or near one of these looming monsters when they fail.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Cornices become weak with daytime heating.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

A 20 to 30 cm thick slab may be poorly bonded to weak, sugary faceted snow. This layer is likely most problematic on northerly aspects above 2000 m, where it may be associated with hard, wind-affected snow.

Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that buried instabilities are still present.Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks

Aspects: North, North East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Mar 24th, 2019 2:00PM