Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 13th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada rbuhler, Avalanche Canada

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Kootenay Boundary.

While we expect the avalanche danger is generally low, continue to practice good travel habits and watch for signs of lingering wind slabs and weak cornices.

Observations are very limited this time of year. If you are getting out, please consider contributing to the MIN.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night: Mainly clear, light east wind, treeline low around -15 °C.

Thursday: Sunny in the morning, a mix of sun and cloud in the afternoon, light east wind, treeline high around -5 °C.

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud, light variable wind, treeline high around -4 °C.

Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud, moderate east wind, treeline high around -3 °C.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported over the past few days. 

Observations are very limited this time of year. If you are getting out in the backcountry, please consider contributing to the Mountain Information Network.  

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of aging storm snow sits on a widespread melt-freeze crust which formed during the major warming event on April 8. Moderate to strong northeast wind on Monday and Tuesday has redistributed this recent snow in exposed terrain. A new sun crust may now be forming on steep sun-exposed slopes. 

Multiple crusts exist in the upper snowpack which are currently well bonded with the ongoing cold conditions. The middle and lower snowpack are currently well settled and strong.

Terrain and Travel

  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

On Monday and Tuesday, northeasterly wind formed small reactive wind slabs. Now that the wind has eased, these wind slabs are generally expected to have stabilized. However, a few reactive slabs may still be lingering in steep or convex leeward features. 

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 14th, 2022 4:00PM

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