Avalanche Forecast
Kootenay Boundary
Warming and solar radiation will drive the avalanche danger in the coming days. Watch for conditions that change throughout the day, and be cautious of overhead hazards.
Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Wet
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Avalanche Problem 2: Cornices
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Warming and solar radiation may also cause large cornices to fail. Cornice failures may be dangerous by themselves, but they could also trigger a large avalanche on the slope below.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
- Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
Avalanche Problem 3: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Lingering wind slabs from Friday night may remain reactive in high elevation lee terrain. Watch for triggering behind ridgecrests and steep rolls.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported. I'm sure there was a round of wind slab activity on Saturday in response to Friday night's snow and wind, although I'm sure the new snow will settle and gain strength in the coming days. Loose wet avalanches and cornice falls are expected to become problematic with warming and solar radiation forecast for Sunday and Monday.
Snowpack Summary
New snow and wind from Friday night and Saturday likely formed relatively small wind slabs in upper elevation lee terrain. Depending on aspect and elevation, the new snow likely overlies a melt-freeze crust or settled storm snow from earlier in the week.
Numerous other melt-freeze crusts exist in the upper snowpack from rain, sun, and warming during the spring season.
The mid and lower snowpack are generally well-settled and strong while melt-freeze conditions exist on all aspects below treeline.
Weather Forecast
A ridge of high pressure will develop for the forecast period bringing clear skies and light ridgetop winds. The freezing level will hover around 1800m on Sunday, 2400m on Monday and then 3100m on Tuesday.
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Warming and solar radiation over the next few days are expected to trigger loose wet avalanches, especially in steep, sun-exposed terrain. Loose wet avalanches can be pushy and entrain mass quickly.