Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 15th, 2014 8:40AM

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

Peter, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

This bulletin was created using very limited field data. If you are out in the mountains, please send your observations to forecaster@avalanche.ca

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Cloudy with flurries and isolated sunny breaks. The freezing level is around 1600 m and ridge winds are light to moderate from the SW. Thursday: Cloudy with flurries or showers â€“ 10-15 cm. The freezing level is around 2000 m. Winds are moderate from the South. Â Friday: Cloudy with flurries or showers. The freezing level is around 2000 m. Winds are light to moderate from the NW. Â

Avalanche Summary

Numerous natural loose wet avalanches were reported on Monday from steep sun exposed slopes. Explosive control in Kootenay Pass also produced several wet slabs up to size 2 (20-40 cm deep).

Snowpack Summary

Melt-freeze cycles have created a hard and thick crust at the surface in most places, which has been breaking down on all aspects up to around 2000 m and above this elevation on solar aspects. The late January/early February persistent weak layer is deeply buried and has not produced avalanches in this region for some time now. Cornices are large in some areas and should be given a wide berth.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem is becoming less likely with more cloud and slightly cooler temperatures but it still deserves some respect. Minimize your exposure on large steep alpine slopes, especially if the snow surface is moist or wet.

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried persistent weak layers.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Apr 16th, 2014 2:00PM