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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 24th, 2019–Apr 25th, 2019

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Any appearance of the strong April sun can initiate a loose wet avalanche cycle. The likelihood of loose wet avalanches increases as temperatures warm through the day and/or if the sun comes out for a prolonged period of time.

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Clear / Light, northwesterly winds / Alpine low -2 C / Freezing level 2000 m.

THURSDAY: Sunny / Light, southwesterly winds / Alpine high 6 C / Freezing level 2200 m.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with isolated alpine flurries; 1-3 cm / Light, westerly winds / Alpine high 6 C / Freezing level 2300 m.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with isolated alpine flurries; 1-3 cm / Moderate, southwesterly winds / Alpine high 2 C / Freezing level 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region on Tuesday. However, there are currently no professional observers submitting daily observations. Please submit your observations to the MIN. Photos of avalanches or current conditions are particularly useful.

On Saturday, natural and skier triggered loose wet avalanches to size 1.5 were reported on all aspects at treeline and above.

Snowpack Summary

Rain to mountain-tops last week night soaked 20-40 cm of recent snow and initiated a loose wet avalanche cycle at treeline and above on Friday. Below treeline, the snow is isothermal (0 C throughout the snowpack) and disappearing rapidly.

As temperatures cool, we will enter a diurnal cycle during which the hazard will be low in the mornings, if there was a strong overnight freeze, and elevate throughout the day depending on warming and solar radiation. Hazard ratings are for the peak hazard expected during each day.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Wet Slabs

Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.