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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 10th, 2018–Mar 11th, 2018

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 possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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 possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Expect to see the first real warmup of the season with clear skies and rising freezing levels through the rest of the weekend into next week. Click this link to see our latest blog on the impact of warming.

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light south wind / Alpine temperature 1 / Freezing level 2000m MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light to moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature 5 / Freezing level 2500m TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / light south wind / Alpine temperature 7 / Freezing level 2700m

Avalanche Summary

On Friday reports indicate numerous size 2-2.5 natural and explosive controlled storm snow avalanches running on all aspects in the alpine and at tree line. There were also several skier triggered storm slab avalanche size 1.5-2 both Friday and Saturday on north aspects in the alpine and tree line. Expect to see a rise in solar triggered storm slab and loose wet avalanche activity in the coming days with clear skies and high freezing levels.

Snowpack Summary

Friday's 15-35cm of new snow has settled and been redistributed by predominantly west and southwest wind and sits on mostly unconsolidated snow from last week and on a sun crust on south-facing slopes.A mix of weak layers exist 50-100 cm below the surface, including small surface hoar on shady aspects and a crust on solar aspects. These layers have consistently been reactive in snowpack tests, suggesting they could potentially remain reactive to human triggers as well. Deeper weak layers that formed in January and December have gained strength and gone dormant at this time. They include several surface hoar and facet layers 1 to 2 m below the surface and a crust/ facet interface near the base of the snowpack.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.