Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Dec 14 – 15, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Flurries through the day combined with moderate to strong winds will promote wind slab formation at upper elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs may become more reactive with additional snow and wind through the day.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    This surface hoar layer was seen after the rain storm in some areas, 4-20mm in size. It is most likely to be found the northern part of the region.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Recent avalanche observations are limited to loose dry avalanches running to size 1 in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

30-55 cm of snow sits on a 5-15 cm melt-freeze crust. Below this crust you may find moist snow to ground, or dry, possibly refrozen snow and a layer of somewhat preserved surface hoar around 60 cm deep.

Triggering this layer of surface hoar may be possible in areas where the overlying crust is thinner and less supportive. We recommend treating this layer as suspect while we await more observations.

Snow depth is generally 70-110 cm at treeline, tapering quickly below. The mid and lower snowpack may contain a weak facet layer in shallower areas.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mainly Cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1-3 cm. Moderate west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -7 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with flurries, accumulation 1-4 cm. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5°C.

Friday

Mainly cloudy. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate southwest wind. Treeline temperature -6°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Regions covered