Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 22nd, 2014 4:30PM
The alpine rating is Loose Wet, Deep Persistent Slabs and Cornices.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeSpring time conditions exist. Pay attention to how strong the overnight freeze is and how quickly it warms during the day. Start your tours early and be home before it warms up.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Tonight brings scattered flurries and freezing levels near valley bottom. Wednesday brings a mix of sun and cloud with freezing levels near 2000 m. Thursday freezing levels may rise to 2400 m.
Snowpack Summary
Warm day time temperature and very mild overnight freezes are the current conditions. Moist snow in afternoon on solar aspects up to ridgetops and to 2400 m on polar aspects. Temperature crusts breaking down by mid-morning.
Avalanche Summary
Kootenay Park had a loose snow avalanche cycle yesterday afternoon. Surface loose snow avalanches up to Class 2 running out of steep rocky terrain. Debris generally running to top of runouts. No slab avalanches observed.
Confidence
Problems
Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches are possible in the afternoon as a result of day time heating. Monitor how thick the crusts are and how quickly they break down during the day.
- Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of rain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Although unlikely it is still possible to trigger a slab avalanche onĀ one of the deep persistent layers. Skier triggering of this layer is more likely in shallow snowpack areas.
- Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices weaken with day time heating. Field observations show numerous recent cornice collapses.
- Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 23rd, 2014 4:00PM