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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 22nd, 2023–Apr 23rd, 2023

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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Lizard-Flathead, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Moyie.

Take care around ridgelines and wind-loaded features. Fresh wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers.

Limit your exposure to sun-affected slopes if the sun comes out in your area.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday numerous small natural avalanches were observed as the sunshine affected the new snow. Rider-triggered avalanches were also reported, failing on the buried crust under the new snow.

On Wednesday a large (size 2.5) skier trigger avalanche was reported west of Fernie at 1700 m on a south-facing slope and ran for approximately 700 m. See this MIN report for further information and photos.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine and around treeline elevations, 10-30 cm of recent snow covers a crust. Below treeline, expect to find moist or refrozen surfaces, and a shrinking snowpack that is isothermal during the heat of the day.

The mid snowpack is generally settled and strong, except in areas with snow depths less than 150 cm. In these lower snow areas, the mid-pack is likely weaker and more faceted.

The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. This layer has shown signs of gaining strength, and it has not produced recent avalanche activity in this area.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Some cloud with clear periods. Light to moderate westerly wind. Freezing levels remain above 1500 m overnight.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated afternoon flurries. Moderate westerly wind, potentially gusting strong. Freezing levels rise to 2200 m, and remain above 1500 m overnight.

Monday

Cloudy with light westerly winds. Flurries bring around 5 cm of snow. Freezing levels reach 2200 m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with light westerly winds. No snowfall expected. Freezing levels rise to 2200m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Brief periods of sun could quickly initiate natural avalanche activity.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.