Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 1st, 2015 9:11AM

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

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Warmth remains the main driver of avalanche hazard as we shift into a more spring like pattern. Minimize your exposure to large slopes if the snowpack is becoming moist or wet.

Summary

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Freezing level starting around 1000m, rising to around 1700m in the afternoon. Light NW/W winds at all elevations. Few clouds in the morning increasing to 60% cloud cover in the afternoon.Friday: Freezing level starting near 1000m, rising to approximately 1700m in the afternoon. Light SW winds at treeline, moderate SW winds at ridgetop.Saturday: Freezing level starting near 1300m, rising to 1500m in the afternoon. Light SW winds at treeline, moderate SW winds at ridgetop.

Avalanche Summary

No new activity to report from Tuesday. On Monday warm temps led to a natural size 2 wet slab failure that ran on a steep NE facing feature near 2200m.

Snowpack Summary

The region experienced it's second overnight temperature recovery in a row Tuesday night. This time the night brought freezing temperatures that much closer to the valley floor; an overnight low of -2c was recorded at 850m. This resulted in the formation of a surface crust that was already reported as being supportive Monday. This crusts sits on top of 3 to 10cm of moist snow which overlies the March 24th crust that is up to 20cm thick. Below this crust there is 15 to 60cm of snow that is likely still moist from the previous rain event. This moist snow is reportedly bonding well to the mid-March crust/facet complex. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Upper elevation winds have been out of the SW through NW at slab-forming speeds for the past 72 hours. Stay on guard for fresh and potentially touchy wind slabs, especially if your travel plans include terrain immediately lee of ridge-crest.

Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below, but be careful with cornices!>Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

Large, vulnerable and dangerously heavy chunks of snow hang precariously over many ridge-lines. While cornice failure is problematic enough on its own, don't discount the ability for falling chunks of cornice to release bigger slab avalanches.

Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges. Remember that cornices become weak with daytime heating.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Apr 2nd, 2015 2:00PM