Avalanche Forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Date issued

Apr 11, 2018 - 4:47 PM

Valid until

Apr 12, 2018 - 2:00 PM

Prepared by

swerner

Storm slabs may be more reactive on leeward slopes where wind effect exists. Consider the danger rating in the alpine to be MODERATE if you do not receive 15 cm of new snow overnight.

Regular season
Thursday - April 12, 2018
Alpine

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation,cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible;human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Below Treeline

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Friday - April 13, 2018
Alpine

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation,cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible;human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Below Treeline

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Saturday - April 14, 2018
Alpine

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation,cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible;human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation,cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible;human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

Below Treeline

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

Building storm slabs will likely be reactive to human triggers, especially as the snow totals accumulate through the forecast period. Isolated pockets of wind slab may exist behind ridgelines.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, cracking, or moist/ wet surface snow.
  • Observe for the bond of new snow with the old surface before committing into avalanche terrain.

Avalanche Problem 2: Loose Wet

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

Be cautious if you find moist or wet snow. Watch out in steep and gullied terrain, where even small avalanches can have severe consequences.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Avoid steep slopes when air temperatures are warm or the solar radiation is strong.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, reports indicated loose wet avalanche activity from steep slopes and terrain features at treeline.

No new avalanche observations reported on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of new snow is sitting on previous moist snow surfaces. Recent winds from the southeast and southwest have sifted the new snow, forming isolated wind slabs in leeward terrain features and slopes. With freezing levels rising, surface snow will likely become moist through the day. Up to 40 cm of snow that fell last weekend overlies melt-freeze crusts that formed over the past few weeks.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.

Weather Forecast

New snow 10-15 cm expected overnight Wednesday with light-moderate easterly winds.

Thursday: New snow 5-10 cm with moderate-strong West wind and freezing levels 1600 m.

Friday: New snow 5-10 cm with strong southwest winds and freezing levels 1600 m.

Saturday: Snow 15-25 cm with mostly light yet strong and gusty winds at times. Freezing levels 1800 m.

Danger Ratings Explained

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

5 - Extreme

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

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