Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 25th, 2018 3:00PM

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

mconlan, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

A weak layer lingers in our snowpack. It is a good time to remain conservative with your terrain selection. See this forecaster's blog, which describes this persistent problem: www.avalanche.ca/blogs/persistent-slab

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy, freezing level below valley bottom.WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation trace to 5 cm, light southwest winds, alpine temperature -10 C, freezing level below valley bottom.THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light northwest winds, alpine temperature -12 C, freezing level below valley bottom.FRIDAY: Increasing clouds over the day, light to moderate southwest winds, alpine temperature -12 C, freezing level below valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

Small loose avalanches were observed on southerly aspects when the sun was shining. Otherwise, no new avalanches were observed on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

Recent sunny skies have produced a thin sun crust on southerly aspects. Dry, soft snow is found elsewhere.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 5 days, 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. Expect to find it on all aspects and at all elevations, except for the most exposed of terrain where wind or sun may have altered it.

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 26th, 2018 2:00PM