Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 5th, 2016 10:06AM

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

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Sunny skies will cause fresh winds slabs to become more reactive. Failing cornices could trigger large avalanches running to valley bottoms. Watch out for overhead hazard.

Summary

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Partly sunny skies. Moderate to strong westerly winds in the morning that diminish in the afternoon. Freezing level around 2200m. Thursday: Sunny skies, light winds, and freezing levels skyrocketing to 3500m. Friday: Sunny skies, light winds and freezing levels remaining around 3500m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and may trigger large, destructive avalanches running to valley bottom. Up to 20cm of recent storm snow with moderate northwesterly winds will have created fresh wind slabs on lee aspects in the alpine and open treeline. The late February surface hoar/ crust interface down 80 to 130 cm. is currently dormant, however, a rapid warm up could awaken this sleeping dragon. At low elevations, the snowpack is isothermal.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slabs will become very touchy with solar radiation.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.>Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

This time of year the strength of cornices deteriorates rapidly with solar radiation.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on ridges.>Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

3 - 6

Loose Wet

Changes can be rapid, sometimes significant change is possible in a matter of minutes, certainly within an hour or two.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 6th, 2016 2:00PM