Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Apr 15 – 16, 2018Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

More snow is expected on Monday. Observe for the bond of the new snow to the previous surfaces before committing into avalanche terrain. Be particularly cautious under periods of rapid snowfall loading, as avalanche activity will likely increase.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5
    Monday's snow will fall on saturated snow at low elevations, a crust at higher elevations, and wind slabs near ridge tops. The new snow may not bond well to these surfaces.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5
    Precipitation could fall as rain at low elevations. The upper snowpack is already saturated from the weekend's rain and could slide easily with the weight of a human.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

MONDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15 cm, light to moderate southwest winds, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 1200 m.TUESDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm, light to moderate west winds, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1500 m.WEDNESDAY: A mix of sun and clouds, light southeast winds, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, small storm slab and loose wet avalanches were reactive to skier traffic within the recent storm snow. The storm slabs were at treeline and alpine elevations, 15 to 45 cm deep, and often in lee terrain features. The loose wet avalanches were generally at below treeline elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs may linger in lee alpine terrain features, which were produced from strong south winds. Rain to at least 1800 m produced wet snow on all aspects, which will freeze into a melt-freeze crust at higher elevations. New snow will fall on these surfaces. Numerous other melt-freeze crusts exist in the upper snowpack from rain, sun, and warming over the past month. The snowpack below this is generally well-settled and strong.At lower elevations below treeline, a spring snowpack exists.

Regions covered