Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 27th, 2018 3:39PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs.

mconlan, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

A weak layer continues to linger over the holiday season. A conservative approach to your terrain selection is the best way to manage it. See the forecaster's blog here, which describes this persistent problem.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, freezing level below valley bottom.FRIDAY: Increasing clouds over the day, light west winds, alpine temperature -12 C, freezing level below valley bottom.SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 cm, moderate to strong southwest winds, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level rising to 1400 m over the day.SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy, light to moderate north winds, alpine temperature -9 C, freezing level 500 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Around 5 to 10 cm of snow sits on a thin sun crust on southerly aspects and small feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas.Beneath this, around 50 to 100 cm of snow is poorly bonded to a rain crust and a weak layer of feathery surface hoar and sugary facets. Although there has not been a reported avalanche on this layer for about a week, snowpack test results tell us that it is still possible to trigger. It is best to remain conservative and travel cautiously with this layer in the snowpack.The lower snowpack is well-settled.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

A weak layer buried around 50 to 100 cm is still the main concern. Although avalanche activity has been quiet for the past week, the widespread nature of the layer and snowpack test results suggest that it is still a layer to be concerned about.

Choose low-angle terrain without overhead exposure and watch for clues of instability.Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 28th, 2018 2:00PM