Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 4th, 2018 3:49PM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Winter continues. Snow forecast for Thursday is expected to add to existing storm slabs.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: 5-10 cm snow. Light to moderate south-easterly winds. Freezing level near 1500 m.FRIDAY: Light snow. Light winds. Freezing level near 1600 m.SATURDAY: Moderate snow. Light winds. Freezing level near 1600 m.Weather models disagree on the amount of snow expected this week.

Avalanche Summary

A skier-triggered size 2 storm slab was reported on a south-west aspect at treeline on Tuesday. A few loose moist size 1 avalanches were observed in steep sunny terrain on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 50 cm recent snow is slowly settling. Storm snow overlies variable surfaces including hard crusts on all aspects below 1900 m, and sunny aspects higher up. On high, shady aspects, the new snow may sit on some old wind slabs from last week, or a mix of large surface hoar and surface facets. Another weak layer buried in mid-March is down 50 to 120 cm and is a crust on solar aspects and surface hoar (to 6mm) on high elevation north aspects. Deeper weak layers are generally considered dormant.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Snow and wind are expected to build slabs which could be triggered with the weight of a person.

Use conservative route selection: choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 5th, 2018 2:00PM