Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Apr 6 – 7, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Continue to use good travel habits, and use extra caution around thin, rocky start zones.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–4

    The base of the snowpack remains weak. Avoid thin, rocky start zones and shallow areas with variable snowpack depths.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, a Mountain Information Network (MIN) post from the Bootleg area, west of Kimberly, reported several small (size 1) windslab avalanches below ridgetops. See more details here.

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

Dry, powder snow remains on shaded (northerly) slopes. Moist snow or thin crusts exist on solar aspects at all elevations.

The mid snowpack contains several persistent weak layers including layers of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain and old crusts on south-facing slopes. No recent avalanches have occurred on these layers.

The lower snowpack includes a layer of large, weak facets and/or depth hoar crystals.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

No new snow expected. Cloudy west of Kimberly, clear east of Kimberly. Light southwest ridgetop wind, trending to moderate at higher elevations. Freezing level 1500-2000 m. Treeline temperature around -1°C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy, with a chance of isolated flurries. Light southwest ridgetop wind, trending to moderate at higher elevations. Freezing level 2000-2500 m. Treeline temperature around -1°C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy. 0-5 cm of snow expected, isolated areas of 10 -15 cm west of Kimberly. Light southwest ridgetop wind, trending to moderate at higher elevations. Freezing level around 1800 m.

Sunday

Partly cloudy. No new snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind, trending to strong at higher elevations. Freezing level around 2300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.

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