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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 18th, 2024–Jan 19th, 2024

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla.

Look for wind slabs on a variety of aspects as the wind switches direction on Friday.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There have been several reports of natural and skier controlled storm slab and dry loose avalanches size 1-1.5 on Thursday and Friday.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

10-15 cm of new snow has likely covered weak, faceted now in many areas and wind-affected surfaces in open areas at all elevations.

A layer of surface hoar is found down 70 cm in sheltered, north-facing terrain. This layer appears as a sun crust on south-facing slopes. As temperatures slowly warm this layer may become reactive to human triggering.

A thick crust deep in the snowpack largely protects any weak layers further down in the snowpack from being triggered.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly clear. No new snow expected. Light east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -14 °C.

Friday

Cloudy. 2-4 cm of snow expected. Light to moderate west and southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -10 °C.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy. Trace of snow expected. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.

Sunday

Mainly cloudy. 2-4 cm of snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

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.