Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 5th, 2019 3:33PM

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

mconlan, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Watch out for fresh slab development above the rain-snow line on Saturday from new snow and strong southwest wind. The snow may be wet and loose at lower elevations and on south aspects, particularly if the sun shines.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 1700 m.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated snowfall, accumulation trace to 5 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1500 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 1700 m.MONDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm, light northwest wind, alpine temperature -1 C, freezing level 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous wind slabs and loose wet avalanches were observed on Thursday. They were reactive to skiers, explosives, and loose wet avalanches occurred naturally during daytime warming. They were all within the recent storm snow.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 to 20 cm of snow is forecast for Saturday above 1500 m, which will overly a melt-freeze crust or wet snow. The snow will fall with strong south wind, producing wind slabs in lee terrain features. Below 1500 m, the snowpack is wet and rapidly melting.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Snowfall and strong southwest wind are forecast above around 1500 m. The snow may be reactive on all aspects but particularly touchy in lee terrain features.

Watch for quickly changing conditions during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.Expect conditions to change rapidly with elevation.Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 6th, 2019 2:00PM