Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 12th, 2022–Apr 13th, 2022

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.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Small wind slabs are expected to remain reactive on Wednesday in exposed high elevation terrain. Reverse loading by northeast winds means wind slabs may have formed in unusual places.

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday night: Partly cloudy, light to moderate northeast wind, treeline low around -12 °C.

Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate east wind, treeline high around -6 °C.

Thursday: Mainly sunny, light east wind, treeline high around -5 °C.

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud, light variable wind, treeline high around -2 °C.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported over the past few days.

Observations are very limited this time of year. If you are getting out in the backcountry, please consider contributing to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of recent snowfall has buried a widespread melt-freeze crust which formed during the major warming event at the end of last week. Moderate to strong northeast wind on Monday and Tuesday has redistributed this recent snow in exposed terrain forming small wind slabs which sit on the crust.

Multiple crusts exist in the upper snowpack which are well bonded with the current cold conditions. The middle and lower snowpack are currently well settled and strong.

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.
When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

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.