Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 6th, 2019 3:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada mconlan, Avalanche Canada

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Kootenay Boundary.

Sunday is forecast to be windy with a bit more snow. Watch out for freshly formed wind slabs at higher elevations.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with isolated snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1500 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, strong to extreme southwest wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 1700 m.MONDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, light southwest wind, alpine temperature -1 C, freezing level 1800 m.TUESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 cm, light west wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 1700 m.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous small loose wet avalanches were observed on Friday during daytime warming. They released within the recent storm snow.

Snowpack Summary

Around 20 cm of recent snow fell above 1500 m. Another 10 cm of snow is expected on Sunday above 1700 m, with associated strong to extreme southwest wind. This will likely form new wind slabs. All this recent snow overlies a melt-freeze crust or wet snow. Below 1500 m, the snowpack is wet and rapidly melting.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Recent snow above 1500 m has likely been redistributed by strong southwest wind. Apply added caution in lee terrain features, where deposits will be deepest and most reactive.
Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Expect conditions to change rapidly with elevation.Assess snowfall amounts and the bond of the snow before committing into avalanche terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 7th, 2019 2:00PM

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