Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 12th, 2014–Apr 13th, 2014

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kootenay Boundary.

Avalanche danger can rise very quickly with warming and solar radiation. Be aware of changing conditions and overhead hazards. Terrain choices and timing can be critical.

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Tonight and Sunday: A ridge of high pressure is anchored over the province bringing clear skies, warm temperatures, freezing levels rising to 2000 m by the afternoon and light to moderate North West winds.Monday: Freezing levels staying relatively high overnight and rising to around 2200 m during the day. Mostly sunny with some cloudy periods and light winds from the South West. Tuesday: A low pressure system is expected to bring some light precipitation later during the day and cooler temperatures.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

Melt-freeze cycles (below 0 Celsius overnight and warm temperatures/solar radiation during the day) has created a hard crust at the surface in most places. During the day, this crust is broken up by warm temperatures and solar radiation on all aspects up to around 2000 m and above this elevation on solar aspects. Snow stability will decrease as the day progresses, increasing the chance of cornice fall and wet loose avalanches. The late January/early February persistent weak layer is deeply buried, and has not produced avalanches in this region for some time now. However, tomorrow's intense warming and solar radiation could wake up the deep weak layer in isolated areas, like on higher alpine slopes that have not gone through as many melt-freeze cycles. I suspect this would be more the case in the Northern part of the region.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Periods of intense solar radiation or pronounced warming will likely result in some loose wet activity, especially on steep south facing slopes.

Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Areas and features that have not seen as much melt-freeze could be prone to deep slab avalanches tomorrow with the forecasted intense warming and solar radiation.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 5