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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 15th, 2019–Jan 16th, 2019
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Kootenay Boundary.

Use caution stepping out onto steeper slopes. Be aware of areas with a thin, shallow snowpack, these are the most suspect for lingering problems.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom. Alpine low -4. Light winds. WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Freezing level near 1300 m. Alpine high near -2. Moderate south winds. THURSDAY: Cloudy with flurries, 5-10 cm. Freezing level below 1000 m. Alpine high -3. Moderate south-southeast winds.FRIDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm, with heavier snowfall Saturday. Freezing level 1200 m. Alpine high -3. Light to moderate southwest winds.More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Avalanche Summary

There were several size 1-1.5 loose wet avalanches on sunny slopes on Saturday.A wind-loaded NW slope was triggered remotely by skiers on Copper Mountain on Friday. The avalanche was reported to have failed on a layer of surface hoar. See the MIN report here.

Snowpack Summary

Daytime warming and cool overnight temperatures have promoted settlement of upper snowpack layers and created surface crusts on solar aspects. Cold, dry snow may still be found on north aspects in the alpine. Large surface hoar has begun to form particularly on shaded aspects. While not a concern yet (an maybe really neat to ski), this is something to keep in mind forecasted snowfall this weekend buries the weak layer.Wind slabs exist in alpine areas and may overlie buried surface hoar. Professionals continue to monitor a couple of persistent weak layers in the upper 50-150 cm of the snowpack. Persistent weak layers are most likely to be triggered from thin, rocky areas with a variable snowpack or with a large load, like cornice fall.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may be found near ridges and ribs. In some areas, these may overlie a touchy buried surface hoar layer.
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2