Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Jan 13 – 14, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Increasing hazard is tied directly to the forecasted warm up, which may not happen until Wednesday in this region. See the forecasters blog for some ideas about the changing situation.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    The 50 - 100 cm of storm snow has settled out nicely and the while likelihood of triggering has greatly decreased I suspect it's still possible to trigger an avalanche failing on the Jan. 4th interface in terrain that is steep rocky and/or convex.

Confidence

Poor - Freezing levels are uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Monday:  Mod/Strong W/NW winds at ridgetop.  Freezing level at valley bottom.  No significant snowfall.Tuesday:  Warm air dominates the regions to the north, but it should remain cool in the Kootenay Boundary region.  Mod/Strong W/NW winds at ridgetop.Wednesday: Cold air remains in the valleys, temperatures between 1000m & 2500m rise as warm as +5c.

Avalanche Summary

No new significant avalanche observations, just reports of sluffing from steep terrain and small shallow skier controlled soft slabs.

Snowpack Summary

10 cm of light density snow fell Thursday adding to the 60 cm of rapidly settling storm snow that rests on the January 4th interface which consists of small facets, surface hoar (up to 12mm) in sheltered treeline and below treeline areas and sun crust on steep south and west facing slopes. The bonds at this interface are improving.  The layer is still alive and well in test pits but has not been reactive to human triggering in the last day or so.  Wind slabs created by the previously raucous SW winds have grown old & tired. The midpack is well bonded and strong. The November 28 surface hoar is still being found in isolated, sheltered below treeline locations buried 120cm. The deep crust/facet combo from early November still exists but seams to have gone dormant for the time being.

Regions covered