Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Mar 25 – 26, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The kiss of the sun can spark avalanche activity. Plan your route to avoid exposure to sun-baked slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Large fragile cornices threaten many slopes. A cornice fall could trigger a large avalanche on the slope below.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Recent storm snow has been redistributed by variable winds into slabs on many features at alpine and treeline elevations. The sun may make storm slabs more reactive on sunny aspects, or cause loose wet avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

A ridge brings mixed sun and cloud for the weekend. The freezing level is around 1700 m. A front is expected to pass through late on Sunday/ Monday morning, bringing light snow with the freezing level around 1400 m.

Avalanche Summary

A handful of size 1-2 storm slabs were triggered by skiers, naturally and with explosives on Thursday. These were almost all on NW-NE aspects and above 1900 m. The kiss of the sun may spark a loose wet avalanche cycle, or make the storm slab more reactive.

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are large and looming in some areas. Recently formed melt freeze/ sun crusts are now buried by storm slabs and variable wind slabs. Several crusts are buried in the upper snowpack. The late February persistent weak layer down 70 to 120 cm remains a lingering concern. Test results are variable, with occasional sudden planar (pop) results. This interface may remain more reactive on northerly (shaded) aspects above about 1700 m, where buried surface hoar has the best chance of preservation. On sunny aspects, this interface may be a crust/ facet layer. While becoming unlikely, it could be triggered by a cornice fall or from a thin snowpack area.

Regions covered