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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 17th, 2021–Apr 18th, 2021

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Start (and finish) your day early and avoid exposure to sun-exposed avalanche terrain. Look for high elevation north facing objectives without cornices overhead, and plan your egress route carefully.

Check out the Forecaster's Blog for more on managing spring conditions.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Saturday night - Clear / light wind / alpine low temperature near +5 / freezing level 3000 m 

Sunday - Sunny in the morning with increasing cloud throughout the day / moderate northwest wind / alpine high temperature near +5 / freezing level falling to 2000 m in the afternoon

Monday - Sunny / light wind / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 2100 m

Tuesday - Sunny / light wind / alpine high temperature near 0 / freezing level 2300 m

Avalanche Summary

There have been several recent reports of wet loose avalanches up to size 2 on south aspects.

Looking forward, wet loose avalanches are expected on solar aspects with sunny weather and high freezing levels. Cornice failures will also become more likely. Wind slabs may still be possible to trigger in on north aspects in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

High overnight freezing levels mean that the snow surface remains moist or wet in many areas. In places where the surface forms a crust overnight, it should quickly soften during they day with sunshine and warm temperatures. Dry snow may still be found on high elevation north aspects. The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and strong.

Terrain and Travel

  • The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.
  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

Problems

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.