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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 14th, 2023–Apr 15th, 2023

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

Avoid steep slopes that are getting baked in the sun.

Expect variable snowpack conditions as we transition from winter to spring.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported before 4pm on Friday.

We expect that anywhere that was sunny on Thursday or Friday would have seen numerous, small, wet loose avalanches triggered by the sun on steep slopes.

On Monday and Tuesday, in the Fernie area. Warming and rain induced a widespread, naturally triggered, loose wet avalanche cycle. This included several large (size 2-2.5), avalanches and one large (size 2.5) glide slab.

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

Dynamic spring weather has resulted in variable snow surface conditions. A wet storm earlier in the week soaked the upper snowpack. Cold overnight temperatures have turned this moist snow into a frozen crust, except in areas where dry snow covered and insulated it.

The mid snowpack is generally settled and strong, except in areas with snow depths less than 150 cm. In these lower snow areas, the mid-pack is likely weaker and more faceted.

Below treeline, expect to find moist or refrozen surfaces, and a shrinking snowpack that is isothermal during the heat of the day.

The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. This layer has shown signs of gaining strength, and it has not produced recent avalanche activity in this area.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Clear, no new snow expected. Freezing level falling to valley bottom. Treeline low around -5°C. Light southwest ridgetop wind.

Saturday

Sunny. No new snow expected. Freezing level rising to 2100 m. Treeline high around 1°C. Light southwest ridgetop wind.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy. Light precipitation expected. Snow/rain line around 1500 m overnight, rising to 2000 m. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind.

Monday

Cloudy overnight, 5-10 cm of snow expected, 15 cm or more in isolated areas around Fernie. Mostly sunny through the day. Snow/rain line at valley bottom overnight, rising to 1200 m. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind, trending to strong at high elevations.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
  • Be alert to conditions that change throughout the day.
  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.