Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 8th, 2014 8:59AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Wednesday: Freezing level dropping overnight to 1500 metres. Precipitation starting Tuesday evening. The snow line should descend as the temperatures cool. 5-10 mm of precipitation should be a mix of snow and rain. Winds strong from the Southwest overnight, becoming light Northwest during the day. Mostly sunny with the freezing level rising during the day to 2000 metres.Thursday: Overnight freezing level dropping down to 1500 metres, and then rising up to 2200 metres during the day. Mostly sunny with strong solar radiation and light winds.Friday: Overcast with moderate Southwest winds and some light precipitation.

Avalanche Summary

Some loose wet avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported from Monday on all aspects and at all elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Very warm temperatures at alpine elevations created moist or wet snow on the surface. At treeline the snow is moist down 45 cm and "knife" resistance melt freeze crusts are reported to be breaking down. The late January/early February persistent weak layer is deeply buried and may have resulted in some large avalanches during the last few warm days. Forecast drop in freezing levels should develop new melt-freeze crusts on the surface over the next few days.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Forecast dropping freezing levels and cooler temperatures over the next few days may result in avalanches failing on this layer to be unlikely. Heavy triggers like cornice falls may result in avalanches stepping down the persistent weak layer.

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried weak layers.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Loose Wet

Daytime warming may result in loose wet avalanches from steep terrain on solar aspects.

Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 9th, 2014 2:00PM