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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 5th, 2014–Feb 6th, 2014

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

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Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Tonight and Wednesday: A ridge of high pressure is bringing cold and clear conditions. Strong winds from the E-NE are forecasted, mainly clear skies and temperatures around -19 C.Thursday: The ridge remains dominant bringing similar conditions except moderate winds from the NE and slightly warmer temperatures (-11 C).Friday: Similar conditions with lighter winds.

Avalanche Summary

Several skier triggered slab avalanches size 1 to 2 were reported yesterday around Nelson area. These would have been triggered in windslabs overlying the end of January surface hoar on N and NW facing slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Recent and ongoing strong Easterly winds created windslabs on lee and cross-loaded features in the alpine and at treeline. The windslabs, in wind exposed areas or loose dry snow in sheltered areas, overlies well developed and widespread surface hoar or a crust on solar aspects.  This combination has resulted in recent skier triggered avalanches up to size 2. Natural activity is less likely now but these 10-30 cm thick windslabs could still be triggered under the weight of a skier. Below this layer, you'll likely find about 10cm of faceted snow over older surface hoar and old, unreactive wind slabs. Mid-January’s prolonged warm temperatures have formed a strong and supportive midpack. Deeper persistent layers have become unlikely to trigger, although large and destructive avalanches are still possible in isolated terrain with the right input such as a cornice fall or a heavy load over a thin spot in steep terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.