Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 29th, 2019 4:43PM

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

ldreier, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Expect loose wet avalanches if the sun comes out long enough to warm up and weaken the snow surface.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear with a few clouds, light northerly wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 1600 mSATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light westerly wind, alpine temperature -1 C, freezing level 2200 mSUNDAY: Cloudy, up to 5 cm precipitation, light southwest wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 2000 mMONDAY: Cloudy, light north wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 2000 m

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday only few small loose wet and loose dry avalanches were observed. On Wednesday loose wet avalanches to size 1 were observed in the afternoon on solar aspects. On Tuesday and Wednesday there were reports of skier triggered thin wind slabs to size 1.5.

Snowpack Summary

At upper elevations, the recent 15 cm snow from the beginning of the week is bonding well with the melt-freeze crust or moist snow below. Some of the recent snow was redistributed by southerly winds which formed isolated thin wind slabs. These wind slabs may still be triggered by humans. At lower elevations, expect to see a supportive crust on or near the surface if there is a good overnight freeze. This crust sits above a largely moist or wet snowpack.

Problems

Loose Wet

If the sun comes out the snow surface will weaken with increasing air temperatures and solar input and increase the likelihood of thin loose wet avalanches running in steep terrain, especially on those slopes facing the sun.

Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Minimize exposure when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Cornices become weak with daytime heating, travel early on exposed slopes.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Wind Slabs

Recent 15 cm of snow from the beginning of the week combined with moderate to strong southwest winds has created thin wind slabs in the lee of terrain features which might still be triggered by skiers and riders.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: North, North East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 30th, 2019 2:00PM