Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 4th, 2014 9:26AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

triley, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

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Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Saturday: Freezing level dropping briefly below 1500 metres and then rising up to 1800 metres in the afternoon. Southwest winds becoming strong in the afternoon as moderate precipitation begins to fall.Sunday: 5-10 cm is expected by morning before the ridge of high pressure moves into the region bringing broken skies and freezing levels rising to 2000 metres. Winds becoming strong Westerly.Monday: Freezing level remaining above 2000 metres overnight and rising up to 2500 metres. Broken skies with periods of strong solar radiation.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

There is 5-10 cm of new snow that developed a new storm slab. The new thin storm slab is sitting on a 2-5 cm melt-freeze crust that developed over the past few days on all but shaded North aspects in the alpine. This crust has been reported to be "knife" resistance in some parts of the region and may have a layer of surface hoar below the new storm snow. There is now about 75 cm of well compacted snow above the March 10th melt-freeze crust. In some areas the March 10th crust is helping to bridge over the deeply buried late January/early February persistent weak layer. The Jan/Feb deep persistent weak layer continues to be a concern for very large destructive avalanches. Releases on this layer may be more likely during periods of strong solar radiation and/or prolonged warm temperatures at alpine elevations.

Problems

Storm Slabs

The new snow may not be well bonded to the old crust in areas that had surface hoar before the snow arrived. Southwest winds may have developed pockets of wind slab on lee slopes during the storm.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Avalanches releasing on the deeply buried weak layer from early February are still a concern. Strong solar radiation, cornice falls, new loading, or storm slab avalanches in motion are all possible triggers.

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried weak layers.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Apr 5th, 2014 2:00PM