Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Mar 21 – 22, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Unsettled weather through the next few days. Not enough weather inputs to significantly shift the danger ratings.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    The likelihood of triggering persistent slabs has decreased substantially at lower elevations. At upper elevations where the recent rain crust is not as thick and strong, there is still potential to trigger deeper buried weak layers.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    As the freezing level rises the surface snow will become increasingly wet or moist and may begin to sluff from steep terrain.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5-10cm / Light to moderate south wind / Alpine temperature -2 / Freezing level 1500mTHURSDAY:  Cloudy with sunny breaks / Light south wind / Alpine temperature -4 / Freezing level 1300mFRIDAY: Scattered flurries / Light to moderate south wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 1400m

Avalanche Summary

Since the cooling weather trend there have been no reports of significant avalanche activity.

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday

Snowpack Summary

Last weekend rain soaked the upper snowpack for a second time in a week. This time all the way to mountain tops. Cooling temperatures will have formed a 10-30cm rain crust on the surface. In parts of the region there may now be a thin layer of new snow sitting on top of the crust. Below the crust expect to see moist or wet snow. The late-February facet / surface hoar interface (70-120 cm deep), the mid-February crust (90-130 cm deep), and basal facets in shallow snowpack areas may still be present at upper elevations and may still be reactive and become a concern as surface crusts break down with daytime warming.

Regions covered