Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 31st, 2015 9:36AM

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

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Warmth remains the main driver of avalanche hazard as we shift into a more spring like pattern. Minimize your exposure to large slopes if the snowpack is becoming moist or wet.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Broken cloud cover. Freezing level hovering around 1500m. No significant precipitation. Moderate NW winds at all elevations.Thursday: Freezing level starting around 1000m, rising to around 1700m in the afternoon. Light NW/W winds at all elevations. Few clouds in the morning increasing to 80% cloud cover in the afternoon.Friday: Freezing level starting near 1000m, rising to approximately 1700m in the afternoon. Light SW winds at all elevations. No significant precipitation expected.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday warm temps led to a natural wet slab failure. The size 2 avalanche ran on a steep NE facing feature at 2200m.

Snowpack Summary

Monday night brought the best re-freeze in recent memory which probably formed a surface crust. 3 - 10 cm of moist snow lie between this surface crust and the March 24th crust that is up to 20cm thick. Below this crust 15 to 60cm of moist rain soaked snow can be found which all rests on the mid-March crust/facet complex. It looks like we'll be into a more spring like melt-freeze cycle for the forecasting period which should start to tighten up the upper snowpack. The mid and lower snowpack are already strong and well settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Upper elevation winds have been out of the west at slab-forming speeds for the past 48 hours. Stay on guard for fresh and potentially touchy wind slabs, especially if your travel plans include terrain immediately lee of ridge-crest.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.>Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below, but be careful with cornices!>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

Many ridge-lines are wearing visor like cornices. These large, vulnerable and dangerously heavy chunks of snow hang precariously over many alpine features.

Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges. Remember that cornices become weak with daytime heating.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Apr 1st, 2015 2:00PM