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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 4th, 2020–Feb 5th, 2020

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Wind slabs at upper elevations are the main concern. Avalanches are unlikely where a thick supportive crust caps the upper snowpack.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday Night: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Light to moderate west wind. Alpine high -10 C.

Wednesday: Flurries, accumulation 5-10 cm. Moderate to strong west wind. Alpine high -4 C. Freezing level 600 m.

Thursday: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Light to moderate northwest wind. Alpine high -3 C. Freezing level 800 m.

Friday: Cloudy with sunny breaks. Light to northwest wind. Alpine high -3 C. Freezing level 700 m.

Avalanche Summary

There have been new reports of avalanche activity in the past few days. Small loose dry avalanches running on rain crust were observed in wind sheltered areas on Sunday. 

Snowpack Summary

Wind switching directions has redistributed recent new snow onto a variety of aspects. As high as 2000 m, the upper snowpack contains a series of crusts from recent warming and rain events.

A layer of surface hoar is buried 100-150 cm below the surface in sheltered areas around treeline but has not been associated with avalanche activity recently. Weak facet/crust layers near the base of the snowpack are particularly noteworthy in the western Boundary area.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

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.