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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 17th, 2012–Dec 18th, 2012
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Purcells.

There is a lot of North to South variability in this region. If you are in the far South, take a look at the Kootenay-Boundary Bulletin.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Tuesday: Strong Westerly winds are expected Monday night as the Low pressure near the U.S. border moves to the East of the Rockies. Flurries are forecast to continue overnight with little accumulation ( 2-3 mm). During the day on Tuesday the wind should lower to about 30 km/hr from the Northwest under overcast skies with sporadic flurries. Temperatures will remain cold, minus 15.0 in the alpine.Wednesday: The weak ridge is expected to break down in the afternoon when the Southwest winds increase to strong and the next Pacific system starts to move in from the coast.Thursday: Strong Southwest winds and moderate to heavy precipitation are forecast during the next storm. Timing is uncertain.

Avalanche Summary

Ski cutting produced soft slab avalanches up to size 1.0 in the North of the Region.

Snowpack Summary

The recent storm deposited 10-15 cms in the North of the region near Golden, and 20-25 cms further South near the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy. Some areas reported a new layer of surface hoar that developed just before the storm in the North of the region, and are now buried down 5-15 cms. Thin new windslabs continue to grow as strong Southeast winds transport snow at alpine elevations in the North. Strong Southwest winds are transporting snow into wind slabs in the South of the region.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are expected to continue to develop due to forecast new snow and strong Southeast winds in the areas near Golden, and strong Southwest winds in the areas near Kimberley.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 4