Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 25th, 2019 4:35PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Loose Wet and Wind Slabs.

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

There is some precipitation forecast overnight Monday into Tuesday morning. This is expected to fall as snow at upper elevations.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

MONDAY Night: Flurries, accumulation 5-10 cm at upper elevations / moderate to strong southwest wind / alpine temperature -3 C / freezing level 1400 mTUESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries / moderate southwest wind / alpine temperature -3 C / freezing level 1500 m WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / light east wind / alpine temperature -1 C / freezing level 1700 mTHURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / light east wind / alpine temperature -2 C / freezing level 1600 m

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity to report from Saturday or Sunday. On Friday natural loose wet activity to size 2 was reported throughout the region.

Snowpack Summary

The current snow surface is quite variable. On higher north aspects above 2000 m you may find some dry, faceted snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds which may have formed isolated old wind slabs. Expect to see a supportive crust on or near the surface if there is a good overnight freeze. The two crusts in the upper snowpack are our biggest concern. The first crust is down 20 to 30 cm and loose wet avalanches have recently slid on this interface. The deeper one down 60 to 95 cm has produced easy shears in test profiles. Avalanches on this interface are unlikely, but possible. The snowpack at mid and upper elevations is expected to continue to gain strength as we enter a period of consecutive nights with below freezing temperatures.

Problems

Loose Wet

Rain at at lower elevations Monday night and the possibility of the sun coming out during the day Tuesday will maintain a likelihood of triggering loose wet avalanches.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, travel early on exposed slopes.Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Wind Slabs

5-10 cm of new snow combined with moderate to strong southwest winds will promote thin wind slab formation in the lee of terrain features.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 26th, 2019 2:00PM