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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 10th, 2013–Apr 11th, 2013

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

Regions

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  [email protected]

Confidence

Poor - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

Thursday: A lull between weather systems will bring mostly overcast skies with some sunny breaks. Some light precipitation is possible. Freezing level 1000m and light to moderate west winds.Friday: Another frontal system affects the southern interior  late in the day bringing light to moderate precipitation. Freezing level 1000m and strong southwest winds.Saturday: Freezing levels drop with the passage of a cold front. Light to moderate precipitation possible.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. Expect loose wet snow releases from steep terrain at treeline and below. Pockets of wind slab may be triggered by skiers or riders at higher elevations.

Snowpack Summary

40-60cm of new snow has fallen at 1700m elevation and above in last 4 days. This new snow sits on a crust at upper elevations. The snowpack continues to be moist below this crust. Recent moderate to strong winds have created wind slabs in alpine leeward slopes. At lower elevations the snowpack is wet and isothermic.

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.