Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Apr 6 – 7, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Freezing levels skyrocket to the moon on Thursday. Watch out for failing cornices and expect a widespread loose wet avalanche cycle on solar aspects in the alpine.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Wind slabs become more reactive when heated by the sun for the first time.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    3–6
    This time of year the strength of cornices deteriorates rapidly with solar radiation.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Changes can be rapid, sometimes significant change is possible in a matter of minutes, certainly within an hour or two.

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Freezing levels skyrocket to 3500m, sunny, light southwest ridgetop winds. FRIDAY: Freezing level 3500m, sunny, light southwest ridgetop winds. SATURDAY:  Freezing level 3000m, sunny, light southwest ridgetop winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region on Tuesday. However, I expect to see widespread natural avalanche activity on Thursday when the recent storm snow is heated by solar radiation and soaring freezing levels.

Snowpack Summary

Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and may trigger large, destructive avalanches running to valley bottoms. Up to 20cm of recent storm snow with moderate northwesterly winds will have created wind slabs on lee aspects in the alpine and open treeline. These wind slabs will increase in sensitivity when they are warmed up for the first time by solar radiation and rising freezing levels. The late February surface hoar/ crust interface down 80 to 130 cm. is currently dormant, however, a rapid warm up could awaken this sleeping dragon. At low elevations, the snowpack is isothermal.

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