If temperatures remain warm, rain soaked wet slabs releasing on crust layers are still possible.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT: Clearing / Light, northwesterly winds / Alpine low 0 C / Freezing level 2000 m.
SATURDAY: Sunny / Light, northwesterly winds / Alpine high 5 C / Freezing level 2100 m.
SUNDAY: Sunny / Light, northwesterly winds / Alpine high 8 C / Freezing level 2500 m.
MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, southwesterly winds / Alpine high 9 C / Freezing level 2600 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in this region on Thursday. However, avalanche activity is expected to increase on Friday with the forecast rain to mountain-tops.
On Tuesday, a party skiing near Kootenay Pass reported "whumphing" on solar aspects near ridgetops and triggered a size 2 storm slab avalanche sitting on a crust on a north aspect at around 2000 m. See the MIN report HERE.
On Sunday, a skier triggered a small size 1 wind slab that then stepped-down and triggered a size 2.5 persistent slab avalanche on a northwest aspect in the alpine. See the MIN report HERE.
Snowpack Summary
Rain to mountain-tops Thursday night has soaked 20-40 cm of recent snow and initiated a loose wet avalanche cycle at treeline and above.
Below treeline, the snow is disappearing rapidly.
Problems
Wet Slabs
If temperatures remain warm, wet slabs releasing on crust layers are still possible.
- If the snow is wet, mushy, or feeling bottomless, its time to go home.
- Pay attention to changing conditions with elevation/aspect.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
If temperatures remain warm, loose wet avalanches are still possible with strong solar radiation.
- A moist/wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches all indicate a weakening snowpack.
- Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 20th, 2019 2:00PM
