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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 5th, 2023–Apr 6th, 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, 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, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir.

Increased southerly winds combined with recent storm snow may form new wind slabs at treeline and above.

Rider-triggered avalanches are possible.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported by 4 pm on Wednesday.

On Monday, several natural sun-triggered wet and dry loose avalanches were seen on solar slopes.

Snowpack Summary

15-30 cm of soft snow is settling over a widespread, crust except north-facing slopes at treeline and above, where it sits on old, faceted surfaces, and surface hoar in some areas. Forecast moderate to strong winds will likely form fresh wind slabs on leeward slopes and behind terrain features.

The mid-pack is generally well-settled.

In some areas, the lower snowpack includes a layer of weak facets near the ground. No recent avalanches have been reported on this layer. However, we continue to track the layer and watch for any signs of it becoming active again.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mix of clear and cloud. Ridgetop wind 10-20 km/h from the southwest and freezing level falling to valley bottom. Treeline low around -8°C.

Thursday

Cloudy with possible sunny periods. Trace of snow. Ridgetop wind 15-25 km/h from the south. Freezing level rising to 1700 m. Treeline high around -1°C.

Friday

Cloudy with new snow 5-10 cm. Ridgetop wind 25-45 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with flurries up to 5 cm. Ridgetop wind 15 km/h gusting to 60 km/h from the southwest. rising to between 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.

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.