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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 8th, 2022–Apr 9th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

As temperatures drop a thick surface crust will make for easy travel and decreased avalanche hazard.

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

Friday night: Unsettled with isolated flurries, trace to 10 cm. West wind decreasing to moderate. Freezing level falling below 1500 m, ridgetop low -8 C.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy with light flurries, trace to 5 cm. Light to moderate west winds. Daytime freezing level reaching 1500 m, ridgetop high -1 C.

Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud with flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. Cool overnight temperatures with daytime freezing levels reaching 1400 m and ridgetop high -2 C.

Monday: Sunny breaks and isolated flurries. Light west winds. Ridgetop high -2 C.

Avalanche Summary

Over the past few days storm and wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were triggered on all aspects at treeline. Triggers included ski cuts, vehicle and skier remotes and explosives. Several small natural cornice falls were also observed.

On Wednesday several size 1.5 wet loose avalanches were observed on solar aspects. We suspect wet slab and wet loose avalanches will be observed throughout the region on all aspects on Thursday and Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Recent warm temperatures have produced a crust on all aspects and elevations. Springtime flurries are unlikely to bond well with the crust and will be easily redistributed by wind. 

The general weather pattern is cooling with freezing levels nearing valley bottom, however wet slab and wet loose avalanches remain a hazard where snow remains moist or isothermal. 

Multiple crusts exist in the upper snowpack. The mid and lower snowpack are well settled.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.