Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Apr 14 – 15, 2018Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
Open full map

Highlights

More snow and high freezing levels are forecasted. Slabs will thicken and the snow will weaken with the warming. Expect the likelihood of triggering avalanches to increase.  Treat the hazard as High if you find more than 25 cm of new snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5
    Snowfall continues, with up to 25 cm forecasted by Sunday afternoon and strong southwest winds.  Expect storm slabs to be reactive to both natural and human triggers.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5
    Freezing levels could reach 2000 m, which would warm the snow surface and allow precipitation to fall as rain.  Loose wet avalanche activity will increase under these conditions.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15 cm, strong southwest winds, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1500 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, light south winds, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level 2000 m.MONDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15 cm, light south winds, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1400 m.TUESDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, light west winds, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, widespread loose activity was noted in the region.  Loose wet was common at lower elevations and loose dry at higher elevations within the recent storm snow.  They were generally small to large (size 1 to 2.5), at treeline and alpine elevations, and generally below rocks or in steep southerly terrain.  A few small slabs were also noted within the recent storm snow.

Snowpack Summary

40 to 50 cm of recent snow sits on a hard melt-freeze crust.  Strong south winds formed wind slabs in lee terrain features at higher elevations. The snowpack below this is generally well-settled and strong.

Regions covered