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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 22nd, 2022–Apr 23rd, 2022

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

We are getting back into a seasonal spring trend with cool nights, warm days, and highly variable snow conditions with elevation and aspect changes. Be on the lookout for signs that suggest unstable snow. 

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear and starry, 10-20 km/h northwest wind, alpine low temperature -2 C, freezing level hovering around 1600 m.

SATURDAY: Mostly sunny skies with scattered cloud, 10-25 km/h north wind, alpine high temperature +6 C, overnight freeze and daytime freezing level rising above 2200 m.

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 10 km/h southwest wind gusting to 60 km/h, alpine high temperature +8 C, freezing level 2300 m.

MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, accumulation trace to 5 cm, 20-30 km/h southwest wind, alpine high temperature +4 C, overnight freeze and daytime freezing level rising to 2200 m.

Avalanche Summary

Wet loose avalanches were observed around Kootenay Pass on Wednesday, releasing above 1800 m within the recent snow.

Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network to supplement our data stream and help fellow recreationists.

Snowpack Summary

Shaded aspects at treeline and alpine elevations have up to 30 cm of snow from Tuesday and on, with locally deeper amounts in lee terrain features from southwest wind. Sun-exposed slopes and below treeline elevations consist of a bit of recent snow over a melt-freeze crust that may moisten during daytime warming. The remainder of the snowpack is strong, consisting of hard snow and various melt-freeze crusts. 

We're in classic spring-time conditions with crusts and moist snow at lower elevations and still winter-like conditions in the alpine. At ridge top, remember that cornices are large and looming at this time of year.

Terrain and Travel

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

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.

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.

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.