Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 9th, 2019–Mar 10th, 2019

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

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

Regions: Kootenay Boundary.

Watch for areas where recent snow has formed slabs, such as wind loaded terrain and slopes being hit by the sun.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods, light northeast wind, alpine temperatures drop to -12 C.SUNDAY: Sunny, light northwest wind, alpine high temperatures near -7 C, freezing level 1200 m.MONDAY: Clear skies with afternoon clouds, 15-30 km/h southwest wind, alpine high temperatures near -7 C, freezing level 1200 m.TUESDAY: 10-15 cm of snow, light northwest wind, alpine high temperatures near -5 C, freezing level 1200 m.

Avalanche Summary

A few small loose dry avalanches were reported on Saturday. On Friday, numerous small (size 1) loose dry avalanches were observed in treeline and alpine terrain, being triggered naturally and by skiers.

Snowpack Summary

Around 15 to 25 cm of recent snow overlies wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, soft and faceted snow in sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects.Two layers of weak surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 40 and 80 cm deep, which were buried mid-February and early-February. The layers may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Avalanche activity on these layers have tapered, but it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche on these layers in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks and large open glades.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Triggering small avalanches in the recent storm snow is possible, including wind slabs at upper elevations and loose dry avalanches in steep terrain.

Be increasingly cautious on sun exposed slopes.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5