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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 10th, 2023–Jan 11th, 2023

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Bonnington, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir.

Make conservative terrain choices as buried weak layers continue to be a concern and new snow takes time to bond to underlying layers.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A number of natural and rider-triggered storm slab avalanches were reported on Monday. Occurring from 1800 to 2000 m elevation, on a variety of aspects.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 30 cm of snow overlies a layer of large surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain. A melt-freeze crust is buried by roughly 50 to 70 cm. This crust ranges from 2 cm at higher elevations to 10 cm at lower elevations. Below the crust, the mid-snowpack is generally well consolidated. A weak layer of facets and a crust near the bottom of the snowpack remains a concern.

Treeline snow depths are roughly 150 to 200 cm.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Mostly clear, no precipitation. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures 0 to -5 C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud, with no precipitation. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.

Thursday

Cloudy with flurries, 2 to 5 cm. Moderate south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -5 to -10 C.

Friday

Cloudy with snow, 10 to 15 cm. Moderate south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures around 0 C. Freezing levels 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.