Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 14th, 2014 8:34AM

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

Peter, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Avalanche danger can rise very quickly with warming and solar radiation. Be aware of rapidly changing conditions and overhead hazard.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Increasing cloud with a chance of flurries in the afternoon. The freezing level is around 1500 m and ridge winds are light to moderate from the W-NW. Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud. The freezing level is around 1600 m and ridge winds are light. Thursday: Cloudy with sunny breaks and a chance of showers or wet flurries. The freezing level is around 2000-2200 m. Winds are moderate from the South.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. It is likely that there was some natural avalanche activity on Monday associated with warm temperatures and strong solar radiation. Natural activity should taper off with forecast cloud cover and cooling.

Snowpack Summary

Melt-freeze cycles have created a hard and thick crust at the surface in most places, which has been breaking down on all aspects up to around 2000 m and above this elevation on solar aspects. The late January/early February persistent weak layer is deeply buried and has not produced avalanches in this region for some time now. Cornices are large in some areas and should be given a wide berth.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose wet slides are possible in steep open terrain during warm sunny breaks or periods of rain.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem is becoming less likely with more cloud and slightly cooler temperatures but it still deserves some respect. Minimize your exposure on large steep alpine slopes, especially if the snow surface is moist or wet.

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried persistent weak layers.>Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Apr 15th, 2014 2:00PM