Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 9th, 2014 9:36AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Loose Wet.

jfloyer, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Dry and sunny. Freezing level around 2300 m. Light NW winds. Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with the odd shower. Freezing level around 2200 m. Winds 20-30 from the west. Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud with occasional showers. Freezing level 1800 m. Light Winds.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose wet avalanches were reported up to size 1.5 on Tuesday on all aspects and at all elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Pronounced warming in the upper snowpack at all elevations has made the top 50 cm or more of the snowpack moist. Subsequent cooler temperatures have resulted in a re-freeze at higher elevations, although solar aspects continue to undergo daily melt-freeze cycles. Several older melt-freeze crusts in the upper 40 cm are breaking down, although deeper crusts are reported to still be hard. The late January/early February persistent weak layer is deeply buried, but has not produced avalanches in this region for some time now.

Problems

Loose Wet

High freezing levels coupled with intense sunshine break down the snow surface increasing the likelihood of a loose wet avalanche.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 10th, 2014 2:00PM