Avalanche Forecast

The latest avalanche observations are summarized in this MIN near Nelson. We haven't received other reports of avalanche activity.

Generally, spring is advancing and the winter snowpack is melting away, at least at lower elevations.

Dry, powder snow may remains at higher elevations on north-facing terrain, along with the potential for fresh wind and storm slabs. While melt-freeze crusts or moist snow are likely to be found on steep solar slopes and at lower elevations.

Avalanche danger will be closely coupled to daytime warming and melting. The more the crust weakens, and the deeper the wetness goes, the greater the hazard from wet loose avalanches.

The mid- and lower-snowpack is generally well-settled. In some areas, the lower snowpack may have a layer of weak facets near the ground.

Thursday Overnight

Cloudy with clear periods and flurries; 2 to 5 cm of precipitation. Light, with moderate gusts, southwest winds. Treeline temperatures around -5 C. Freezing level around 800m.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud with between a trace to a few cm of precipitation, in favoured upslope locations near treeline. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures around -3 C. Freezing level around 1900 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Just a trace of new snow with a few locations getting as much as 5 cm. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures between -5 C to near zero. Freezing level around 1900 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with flurries and around 2 to 5 cm of snow. Light to moderate southerly winds. Treeline temperatures around zero and freezing level around 2100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
• Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
• Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.