Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 11th, 2013 10:28AM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Due to a lack of information sources at this time of year, this forecast is based primarily on weather data. If you have been traveling in the backcountry recently, send us your observations. Email us at forecaster@avalanche.ca

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to limited field observations for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Friday: Mainly overcast with some sunny breaks early in the day. Clouds increasing in the afternoon with light precipitation possible. Freezing level 1000m and strong southwest winds.Saturday: Light to moderate precipitation possible with the passage of a cold front. Freezing level 1400m. Winds moderate from the west.Sunday: A cold and unstable airmass will bring a mixed bag of weather conditions. Cool temperatures, mainly overcast with some sunny breaks and possible snow showers.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. Expect loose wet snow releases from steep terrain at treeline and below. Pockets of wind slab may be triggered by skiers or riders at higher elevations.

Snowpack Summary

40-60cm of new snow has fallen at 1800m elevation and above in last 4 days. This new snow sits on a crust at upper elevations. The snowpack continues to be moist or wet below this crust. Recent moderate to strong winds have created wind slabs in alpine leeward slopes. At lower elevations the snowpack is wet and isothermic.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New wind slabs have developed in the alpine and at treeline.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Loose Wet

Loose wet snow slides may release naturally from steep terrain at treeline and below. Wet slides in motion may gain a lot of mass as they scour isothermal snowpacks down to the ground.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Apr 12th, 2013 2:00PM