Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 28th, 2017 4:42PM

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.

There is uncertainty with precipitation amounts Tuesday night through Wednesday. Higher than forecast snowfall at upper elevations may raise danger ratings from what is indicated.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5-10cm Tuesday night and another 5-10cm through the day Wednesday / moderate southwest winds / Alpine temperature -1 / Freezing level 1200 m THURSDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries / Light north wind / Alpine temperature -2 / Freezing level around 1600mFRIDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / Light east wind / Alpine temperature 0 / Freezing level 1700m

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Monday indicate loose wet avalanches up to size 1.5 on all aspects between 1600 and 2000m. Additionally skier triggered avalanches to size 1.5 and 2 were reported running 40cm deep on the mid March rain crust above 1900m on northerly and southerly aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Unsettled weather over the past week has brought roughly 40-50 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

Forecast snow and wind are expected to continue to develop storm slabs in the alpine and at treeline.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Warm spring days with high daytime freezing levels mixed with rain at lower elevations may continue to result in loose wet avalanches on all aspects.

Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.