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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 22nd, 2015–Dec 23rd, 2015
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
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
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.

Variable storm slab/ wind slab conditions: make observations continually as you travel.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

An unsettled NW flow brings light snow and cold temperatures. Tonight: trace; Wednesday: 10 cm; Thursday: 5-10 cm; Friday: trace. Winds are generally light. The freezing level stays at the surface. For more details check out https://avalanche.ca/weather.

Avalanche Summary

Skiers triggered numerous loose dry and soft slab avalanches on Sunday in the size 1-2 range. There were also numerous natural loose dry and storm slab avalanches out of steep terrain. On Monday, skier triggering eased, but explosives still produced several size 1-2 storm slabs.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 50 cm of low density snow now covers various surfaces, including the reactive mid-December surface hoar. This surface hoar can be found on all aspects in protected areas, but does not seem to be widespread across the region. In many areas, the new snow sits on top of a thin rain crust. No matter what the new snow overlies, it has been bonding poorly in most steep terrain. Moderate SW winds recently formed fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and in the alpine. At treeline elevation the early December crust, down around 50-100 cm, is thick and supportive, and may be capping deeper weaknesses. It may also be providing a good sliding surface for the odd larger avalanche.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Recent snow has formed touchy soft slabs. Be especially wary in the lee of ridges and ribs.
On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features and use ridges/ribs to sneak around these problem areas.>Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3