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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 8th, 2024–Apr 9th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla.

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, a few small (size 1) natural and skier-triggered wind slab and dry loose avalanches were reported from alpine terrain.

Looking forward to Tuesday, the avalanche problem will likely be confined to newly formed wind slabs in lee terrain features in the alpine and treeline.

Snowpack Summary

New snow accumulates on up to 20 cm of dry, settling snow. Below this, a robust crust or moist snow exists at all elevations except high north-facing.

A second crust formed in late March can also be found in the upper snowpack at variable depths depending on aspect and elevation.

Weak faceted grains sitting on a crust formed in early February are now buried 100 to 180 cm. This layer has generally been gaining strength and is unlikely to be human-triggered in areas where a supportive crust is present above it.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy with flurries, 2 to 15 cm of accumulation. Southwest ridgetop wind 30 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature -3° C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with flurries, trace to 10 cm accumulation. Southwest ridgetop winds 30 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Wednesday

Mostly Sunny. West ridgetop winds 5 to 15 km/h. Treeline temperature reaches a high of 0 °C. Freezing level rises to 2100 m.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. Southwest ridgetop winds 5 to 15 km/h. Treeline temperature reaches a high of +1 °C. Freezing level rises to 2300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

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.