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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 19th, 2022–Apr 20th, 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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Assess for slab development before committing to steep terrain features. Watch for wet avalanche activity if the skies clear.

Confidence

High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall then clearing, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 10 to 20 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -8 C.

WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, 10 to 20 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level rising to 1800 m.

THURSDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 20 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -3 C, overnight freeze and daytime freezing level rising to 1800 m.

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

Avalanche Summary

We did not receive any reports of avalanche observations in the past few days.

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

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20 cm of snow accumulated on Tuesday with strong southwest wind. New wind slabs likely formed in lee terrain features at treeline and alpine elevations. Storm slabs may have formed in areas sheltered from the wind. The slabs may take a bit of time to bond to underlying surfaces, such as a hard melt-freeze crust. A moist, consolidated snowpack exists at low elevations below treeline. 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

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • 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.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

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.