Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 21st, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada mconlan, Avalanche Canada

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Kootenay Boundary, Lizard-Flathead, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla, Whatshan, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

Isolated, small wind slabs may exist near mountain top. Best practice is to back off sun-exposed slopes during the heat of the day.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few small loose wet avalanches were observed on Friday. Looking forward, similar small wet avalanches may be possible with daytime warming. Riders could also find isolated wind slabs in steep shaded features at the mountain tops.

Snowpack Summary

Anywhere from 2 to 10 cm of snow accumulated on Saturday night above 1600 m with associated southwest wind. This may have produced small wind slabs in lee terrain features near ridgetop. The snow accumulated onto a hard melt-freeze crust. This crust is the snow surface below 1600 m.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Clear skies. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

Mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level rising to 2100 m.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and clouds. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Pockets of wind slab may be found in steep terrain near mountain tops.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 22nd, 2024 4:00PM

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