Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 14th, 2013 10:11AM

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

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

Poor - Due to limited field observations for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Monday: An upper trough of low pressure brings unsettled weather. Isolated snow showers and broken skies are expected. Winds light to moderate from the northwest and freezing levels 1000m.Tuesday and Wednesday: An Upper ridge of high pressure builds bringing generally dry conditions and clearer skies. Freezing level 600-1000m on Tuesday and 1500m on Wednesday. Winds light to moderate northwesterly.

Avalanche Summary

Recent reports indicate loose snow sluffing easily in steep terrain to size 1. This seems to be mostly isolated to the recent storm snow. Also some skier triggered and natural slab avalanches to size 2 in wind loaded pockets in the alpine and treeline.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30cm of new snow has fallen in the past 36 hours above 1400m. Recent moderate to strong winds have created wind slabs in alpine leeward slopes. Cooler temperatures may have may have frozen the wet and isothermic snow surface into a crust at lower elevations. Expect these crusts to break down quickly if temperatures rise during the day.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow combined with moderate to strong winds have created windslabs in the lee of terrain features.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 15th, 2013 2:00PM