Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 5th, 2018 3:47PM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Avalanche activity is possible on steep solar aspects if the sun peeks out.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: Flurries. Light southerly winds. Freezing level near 1500 m.SATURDAY: Moderate to locally heavy snow. Light to moderate south-westerly winds. Freezing level near 1600 m.SUNDAY: Flurries. Moderate westerly winds. Freezing level near 1700 m.

Avalanche Summary

Not much was reported on Wednesday, apart from a small skier-triggered storm slab. A few loose moist size 1 avalanches were also observed in steep sunny terrain.A skier-triggered size 2 storm slab was reported on a south-west aspect at treeline on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40 cm settled snow from last weekend overlies variable surfaces including a hard crust which exists on all aspects below 1900 m, and on sunny aspects higher up. On higher, shady aspects, the new snow may sit on some old wind slabs or a mix of large surface hoar and surface facets. Some professionals are still monitoring a deeper crust/surface hoar weak layer about 1 m down. Deeper weak layers are generally considered dormant.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm slabs may be found on steep slopes and in the lee of ridges and ribs.

Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.Use conservative route selection: choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 6th, 2018 2:00PM