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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 4th, 2015–Apr 5th, 2015

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.

Snowpack and avalanche observations are becoming scarce. If you've been in the backcountry, please tell us what you've seen here on the Mountain Information Network.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

A cool unstable airmass will linger over the interior on Sunday. The region can expect a mix of sun and cloud with localized convective flurries. Alpine winds are expected to be moderate from the NE to E and freezing levels are expected to reach around 1700m in the afternoon. A weak system south of the border should bring light precipitation to region Sunday overnight and Monday. Models are currently showing 5-10mm. Alpine winds are forecast to be moderate from the E and freezing levels are expected to reach around 1600m. A ridge of high pressure builds on Tuesday and should bring dry and mainly clear conditions for the rest of the week. Freezing levels are expected to reach around 2000m on Tuesday and progressively climb higher later in the week.

Avalanche Summary

Observations are becoming more limited as we enter spring. If you're out in the mountains, please consider posting your observations to our webpage. On Friday, some loose dry sluffing was reported from steep terrain. On Wednesday, ski cutting produced numerous size 1 wind slabs. On Sunday, it may be possible to trigger new wind slabs in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Cornices may be touchy, especially during the heat of the day. Extra caution should be given to all steep south facing slopes when the sun is out during the heat of the afternoon.

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm of new snow overlies a thick supportive melt-freeze crust. At higher elevations these accumulations have been blown around by variable winds and new wind slabs may exist on a variety of aspects. The mid-March crust/facet complex is buried around 50cm below the surface. This layer is generally considered dormant while the cooler temperatures prevail. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well settled.

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.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.