Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 20th, 2022–Apr 21st, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Assess how recent snow is bonding to the snowpack before committing to large terrain features.

Confidence

High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 20 to 30 km/h southeast wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1700 m.

THURSDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 10 km/h southeast wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1600 m.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with snowfall then clearing, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 10 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -1 C, overnight freeze and daytime freezing level rising to 2000 m.

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy with no precipitation, 10 km/h northwest wind, alpine temperature 0 C, overnight freeze and daytime freezing level rising to 2200 m.

Avalanche Summary

Wet loose avalanches were observed around Kootenay Pass on Wednesday, releasing above 1800 m within the recent snow over the hard melt-freeze crust. Neighbouring regions observed small natural and skier-triggered storm and wind slab avalanches, releasing within the recent snow.

Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network to supplement our data stream and help fellow recreationists.

Snowpack Summary

Another 5 to 10 cm of snow will build on the 10 to 20 cm of snow from Tuesday. Wind slabs may still be found in lee terrain features in the alpine from strong southwest wind. All this snow is resting on a hard melt-freeze crust in most areas or consolidated snow on shaded aspects in the alpine. Below treeline, a consolidated, moist snowpack exists. Remember that cornices are large and looming at this time of year.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong, consisting of hard snow and various melt-freeze crusts.

Terrain and Travel

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.