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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 5th, 2021–Apr 6th, 2021

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.

Wind slabs may be reactive in the alpine, carefully assess the snow for slab properties.

Warm temperatures and sunshine will weaken the snowpack. Avoid exposure to cornices and steep, sun exposed slopes during the heat of the day.

Confidence

Moderate - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

Monday night - Mainly clear / moderate northwest wind / alpine low temperature near -3 / freezing level 1500 m 

Tuesday - Mainly sunny / moderate southwest wind / alpine high temperature near 2 / freezing level 2300 m 

Wednesday - Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries / moderate to strong southwest wind / alpine high temperature near 0 / freezing level 2000 m 

Thursday - A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries / light northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 1600 m

Avalanche Summary

Wind slabs may linger at higher elevations, especially in the areas that saw the most new snow over the weekend. The new snow may weaken during the heat of the day, resulting in loose wet avalanches that are anticipated to be small given the relatively small amount of snow accumulation.

No new avalanches were observed on Saturday. A few size 1 dry loose avalanches were reported on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Anywhere from 0 to 20 cm of snow accumulated above 1800 m across the region since Sunday, with the highest amounts near Kootenay Pass. The snow fell with southwest wind, likely forming new wind slabs where sufficient snow fell. The snow fell onto a hard melt-freeze crust everywhere except above 2000 m on northerly aspects, where it fell onto previously dry snow. The snow surface is likely a crust on sun exposed slopes.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.

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.