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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 21st, 2023–Apr 22nd, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Cariboos, Kootenay Boundary, Clearwater, Quesnel, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir, Shuswap, North Okanagan.

Expect spring conditions at elevations up to around treeline,and solar aspects well into the alpine. Warm temperatures melt the strength right out of the snowpack so avoid avalanche terrain in these areas when it's hot and sunny, late in the day, or if there isn't an overnight freeze.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

The latest avalanche observations are summarized in this MIN near Nelson. We haven't received other reports of avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

Generally, spring is advancing and the winter snowpack is melting away, at least at lower elevations.

Dry, powder snow may remain at high elevations on north-facing terrain, along with the potential for fresh wind and storm slabs. While melt-freeze crusts or moist snow are likely to be found on steep solar slopes and at lower elevations.

Avalanche danger will be closely coupled to daytime warming and melting. The more the crust weakens, and the deeper the wetness goes, the greater the hazard from wet loose avalanches.

The mid- and lower-snowpack is generally well-settled. In some areas, the lower snowpack may have a layer of weak facets near the ground.

Weather Summary

Friday Overnight

Cloudy with clear periods. Flurries in places but only trace to 2 cm of precipitation. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures around -5 C. Freezing level falling to valley bottom.

Saturday

Cloudy with flurries. Just a trace of snow. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures around zero to -5 C. Freezing level around 2000 m.

Sunday

Warm overnight temperatures with freezing level remaining around 1500m. Cloudy with snow, accumulations from a trace up to 5 cm by end of day. Moderate southerly winds. Treeline temperatures around zero and freezing level around 2000 to 2200 m.

Monday

Warm overnight temperatures with freezing level remaining around 1500m. Cloudy with another 5 to 10 cm of snow. Light west winds. Treeline temperatures around zero and freezing level around 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

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.