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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 6th, 2020–Feb 7th, 2020

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Increasing westerly wind during the day might form fresh wind slabs sensitive to human triggering. A new snow storm is forecast to arrive in the late afternoon with strong wind from the southwest and increasing snowfall at the end of the day.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

Thursday Night: Flurries, accumulation up to 5 cm, light to moderate northwest wind, alpine high -5 C, freezing level 800 m.

Friday: Cloudy with flurries and sunny breaks, accumulation 5-10 cm, light to moderate westerly wind, alpine high -5 C, freezing level 1000 m.

Saturday: Snow, accumulation 10-20 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine high -3 C, freezing level 1100 m.

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud, moderate northwest wind, alpine high -9 C, freezing level 800 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday several small (size 1) slab avalanches in the alpine were triggered by skiers. Several small (size 1) natural and skier triggered loose dry avalanches were reported in steep terrain at treeline and in the alpine. 

Snowpack Summary

Wind switching directions has redistributed recent new snow onto a variety of aspects. The recent storm snow seems to bond well with the crusts below. As high as 2000 m, the upper snowpack contains a series of crusts from recent warming and rain events.

A layer of surface hoar is buried 100-150 cm below the surface in sheltered areas around treeline but has not been associated with avalanche activity recently. Weak facet/crust layers near the base of the snowpack are particularly noteworthy in the western Boundary area.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Watch your sluff: it may run faster and further than you expect.

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.