Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Feb 20 – 21, 2014Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    3–6
    Expect the deeply buried weak layer to continue to produce very large and destructive avalanches. Each load of new snow adds to the storm slab above the weak layer.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    3–5
    Storm slab avalanches are expected to continue to release naturally at higher elevations and where the wind has transported snow. The storm snow may be very sensitive to human triggers at all elevations. Remote triggering is a concern.

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Friday: Light to moderate snowfall overnight bringing 5-10 cm of snow by morning. Freezing level dropping to valley bottoms overnight. Strong Westerly winds overnight becoming moderate Northwest during the day.Saturday: Broken skies with sunny periods and a chance of light flurries. Light Northwest winds.Sunday: Mostly cloudy with light snow and moderate Northwest winds. Alpine temperatures around -15.

Avalanche Summary

Widespread natural slab avalanche activity up to size 3.0 on all aspects and elevations. Remote triggering and long fracture propagations continue. Endless settlements and whumphing experienced while traveling on low angle terrain. Low elevation cut-blocks are releasing naturally at the February 10th interface.

Snowpack Summary

There is over a metre of recent storm snow that is sitting on a weak layer that is a mixture of facets, surface hoar, and melt-freeze crusts. The weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects. The storm slab continues to settle and become more cohesive allowing for longer fracture propagations and remote triggering. This persistent weak layer is expected to be a concern for some time; at least through the weekend.

Regions covered