Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bonnington, Cariboos, Clearwater, Grohman, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Norns, North Okanagan, Quesnel, Rossland, Shuswap, South Okanagan, Ymir.
Expect spring conditions at elevations up to around treeline,and solar aspects well into the alpine. Warm temperatures melt the strength right out of the snowpack so avoid avalanche terrain in these areas when it's hot and sunny, late in the day, or if there isn't an overnight freeze.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
The latest avalanche observations are summarized in this MIN near Nelson. We haven't received other reports of avalanche activity.
Snowpack Summary
Generally, spring is advancing and the winter snowpack is melting away, at least at lower elevations.
Dry, powder snow may remain at high elevations on north-facing terrain, along with the potential for fresh wind and storm slabs. While melt-freeze crusts or moist snow are likely to be found on steep solar slopes and at lower elevations.
Avalanche danger will be closely coupled to daytime warming and melting. The more the crust weakens, and the deeper the wetness goes, the greater the hazard from wet loose avalanches.
The mid- and lower-snowpack is generally well-settled. In some areas, the lower snowpack may have a layer of weak facets near the ground.
Weather Summary
Friday Overnight
Cloudy with clear periods. Flurries in places but only trace to 2 cm of precipitation. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures around -5 C. Freezing level falling to valley bottom.
Saturday
Cloudy with flurries. Just a trace of snow. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures around zero to -5 C. Freezing level around 2000 m.
Sunday
Warm overnight temperatures with freezing level remaining around 1500m. Cloudy with snow, accumulations from a trace up to 5 cm by end of day. Moderate southerly winds. Treeline temperatures around zero and freezing level around 2000 to 2200 m.
Monday
Warm overnight temperatures with freezing level remaining around 1500m. Cloudy with another 5 to 10 cm of snow. Light west winds. Treeline temperatures around zero and freezing level around 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Expect wind slabs to be most reactive in higher elevation areas that received more recent snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2