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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 6th, 2022–Apr 7th, 2022

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Keep an eye on the snow surface, as it gets moist with warming and solar input the size and likelihood of avalanches will increase.

Confidence

High - We are confident the likelihood of avalanche will increase with the arrival of the forecast weather.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night: No new snow expected. Light west winds and freezing levels falling to to 1100 m.

Thursday: Mostly sunny with no new snow expected. Light to moderate southwest winds and freezing levels rising to 2300 m.

Friday: Stormy with up to 10 cm of new snow at higher elevations and rain below. Moderate to strong southwest winds and freezing levels around 2000 m.

Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud with light flurries bringing trace amounts of snow. Light westerly winds and freezing levels around 1400 m.

Avalanche Summary

Over the past few days storm and wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were triggered on all aspects at treeline. Triggers included ski cuts, vehicle and skier remotes and explosives. Several small natural cornice falls were also observed.

We suspect that wind slabs could continue to be triggered by riders at higher elevations on north and east aspects. On all other elevations and aspects wet slab avalanches will increase in likelihood and size due to warming and solar input.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30 cm of recent storm snow has formed slabs at treeline and above. Below this new snow a crust exists on all aspects and elevations. Moist snow will be observed on all aspects and elevations as the freezing level rises and the sun comes out.

Multiple crusts exist in the upper snowpack. The mid and lower snowpack are well settled.

Terrain and Travel

  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.
  • Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Wet Slabs

Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.

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.