Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 14th, 2013–Feb 15th, 2013

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Winds forecast to be L-M / W on Friday with temperature at TL -5. A frontal system will bring light snow Sat pm and early Sun am.

Avalanche Summary

One size 2 avalanche was reported Monday. It was skier triggered in a steep rocky feature on an east aspect.

Snowpack Summary

5-15 cm of recent snowfall overlies the Feb 12 SH layer which has crystals to 30mm in some locations. Wind slab is the predominant stability concern right now. It may be resting on suncrust or surface hoar which was buried on Feb 4. The Jan 23 interface appears to be inactive but can still be found 40-60 cm below the surface. It may be worth investigating on an adjacent slope before riding in aggressive terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.