Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 27th, 2018–Dec 28th, 2018

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Avalanche 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