Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Jan 23 – 24, 2014Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Warming throughout the next few days will have a destabilizing effect on the snowpack. Loose wet avalanches will become likely, particularly on steep, sun-exposed slopes.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    3–5
    Deep persistent slabs have become much harder to trigger; however, avalanches on deeply buried weaknesses would be highly destructive. Warming over the next few days may be enough to re-activate these layers.

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure will continue to dominate the region bringing mainly clear skies and dry conditions for the forecast period. Another inversion will set in for all 3 days with above freezing alpine temperatures. Winds should remain mainly light and west/northwesterly.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no new reports of significant avalanche activity although some sluffing continues on steep solar aspects during the warmest parts of the day.

Snowpack Summary

A dusting of snow overlies a variety of surfaces which include hard, stubborn windslabs in exposed upper elevation terrain, a melt freeze crust on steep, sun-exposed slopes, and well developed surface hoar at treeline and below. Ongoing warm daytime temperatures have promoted settlement within the snowpack, while cool nights have allowed for significant surface faceting.Closer to the ground, below a generally strong and well settled mid pack, there are 2 layers of note: the late November surface hoar, and a crust/facet combo which formed in October. Both of these layers represent a low probability-high consequence scenario. That said, warming forecast for the next few days may be what it takes to bring these layers back to life. Other possible triggers include cornice fall or thin spot triggering on an unsupported slope in the alpine or at treeline.

Regions covered