Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 29th, 2017 4:33PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Forecast warm weather and potential sunny periods on Thursday and Friday will keep the avalanche danger elevated

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / Light north wind / Alpine temperature -4 / Freezing level 1500mFRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light west wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 1600mSATURDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries / Light to moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -1 / Freezing level 1700m

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday there were reports of both natural and explosives controlled storm slab avalanches 20-40cm deep to size 2 on southerly and northwest aspects at tree line. There were also reports of skier controlled avalanches at tree line to size 1.5 on east an north aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Unsettled weather over the past week has brought roughly 50-80 cm of snow to the region. Periodic high freezing levels and solar exposure over the same period formed a variety crusts within the storm snow at both lower elevations and on solar aspects. This all overlies a rain crust that formed mid-March at all elevations. At upper elevations, above 2100m approximately, the late and mid-February persistent weak layers (100-150cm down) and basal facets in shallow snowpack areas may still exist.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Recent snow accumulations and wind have developed reactive storm slabs in the alpine and at tree line.

New snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.Be increasingly cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Warm spring days with high daytime freezing levels and potential sun may continue to result in loose wet avalanches on all aspects.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.