Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 25th, 2013 9:17AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

triley, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

There is a lot of variability in the amount of storm snow in the region. If there is close to 30 cms of storm snow in your area, consider these ratings to be a about one level too low.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to variable snowpack conditions for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Saturday: Moderate Westerly winds overnight combined with light snow and freezing levels at valley bottoms. Expect a couple of cms during the day and winds becoming light Westerly.Sunday: Unsettled weather with overcast skies and light snow showers. Westerly winds becoming strong and gusty.Monday: Cooler temperatures and light Southerly winds with a trace of snow.

Avalanche Summary

Loose snow natural and skier controlled avalanches up to size 1.0 were reported from the Kootenay Pass area.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow fall amounts have been variable across the region. Some areas have about 30 cms that is reacting to light additional loads, and sliding on the weak surface hoar layer that was buried on the 23rd of January. Some other areas only had 10-15 cms with lighter winds, and the new snow has not formed a reactive storm slab. Due to this variability, it is difficult to rate the danger for the entire region.

Problems

Storm Slabs

The new snow may be sitting on a hard layer like an old wind slab or a sun-crust. There may also be a weak layer of surface hoar or facets sandwiched between the new snow and the old surface. Pockets of deep soft new wind slab may also be found.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Jan 26th, 2013 2:00PM