Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Jan 9 – 10, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

While the likelihood of triggering a deep persistent layer may be decreasing, it is very difficult to predict where you will or will not trigger a large avalanche.

Continue to take a conservative approach while traveling in avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Wind slab formation is expected at higher elevation, in exposed terrain, like ridge or rib features.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3.5

    Human triggering of deep weak layers remains possible in terrain with shallow, variable snowpacks. At lower elevations a supportive melt-freeze crust is providing a bridging effect, making it more difficult to trigger deeper layers.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

The upper snowpack continues to settle and bond with mild temperatures. A thick, supportive melt-freeze crust is buried by 30 to 60 cm and is present up to roughly 2000 m elevation. Below the crust, the mid-snowpack is generally well consolidated with no layers of concern. A weak layer of facets and a crust buried in November is down 80 to 150 cm from the surface. The lower snowpack below this November weak layer is weak and highly facetted to the ground.

Treeline snow depths are roughly 150 to 200 cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Cloudy with light snow, up to 10 cm in areas. Moderate southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures 0 to -5 C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with flurries, and trace snow. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures 0 to -5 C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud, with trace snow in the morning. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures 0 to -5 C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud, with no precipitation. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Don't let the desire for deep powder pull you into high consequence terrain.

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