Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 20th, 2019 3:21PM

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

mconlan, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

The recent snow may be touchy to human traffic. Tread cautiously and keep a conservative mindset if you notice slab properties or see signs of snow instability.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clearing into the morning, freezing level below valley bottom.MONDAY: Mostly clear skies, light north winds, alpine temperature -8 C, freezing level below valley bottom.TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy, light southwest winds, alpine temperature -8 C, freezing level below valley bottom.WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, light to moderate southwest winds, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level below valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

A skier triggered a small wind slab in very steep terrain on Saturday. Also, one small storm slab avalanche was triggered with an explosive. Otherwise, no new avalanches were observed except for some sluffing in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 to 20 cm of recent snow recently fell with strong southwest winds. This snow fell onto a sun crust on south aspects and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas at all elevation bands. The new snow may not bond well to these layers, particularly in areas where the new snow has slab properties, such as in wind-loaded terrain features.Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled.

Problems

Storm Slabs

The recent storm snow may not bond well to underlying layers. Treating this snow with caution is advised. The deepest and touchiest snow may be in lee terrain features due to recent strong southwest winds.

Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, cracking, or recent avalanches.Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 21st, 2019 2:00PM