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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 19th, 2019–Apr 20th, 2019
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kootenay Boundary.

If temperatures remain warm, rain soaked wet slabs releasing on crust layers are still possible.

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.

Avalanche 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: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

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: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5