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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 9th, 2019–Jan 10th, 2019

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Storm slabs have formed with recent snowfall and wind. Deeper and more sensitive deposits of snow will be in wind-loaded terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Flurries, 10-15 cm snow. Moderate southwest wind. Freezing level 1000 m.THURSDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries, up to 5 cm snow. Moderate southwest wind. Freezing level 1400 m.FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy, no precipitation. Light south-southwest wind. Freezing level 1400 m, chance of inversion.SATURDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods. Light southwest wind. Freezing level rising above 2000 m.More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, natural avalanches to size 2 were reported around the Whitewater area. Through the day, explosives triggered storm slab avalanches to size 2 and ski cuts triggered storm slab avalanches to size 1.5. Several small wind slabs were triggered by people on Monday on north to north-east aspects near treeline. On Sunday, several explosives-triggered avalanches to size 2 were reported in the region at or near treeline on all aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 20 cm recent snow falling with moderate to strong winds and increasing temperatures have created variable storm slabs and wind slabs. Wind slabs were observed at all elevations on Monday and may be hidden under the most recent snowfall. Isolated layers of surface hoar and or crusts may be found in the upper snowpack. A weak layer buried early December is down 60-120 cm in the alpine and treeline elevations. It consists of a rain crust, surface hoar, and facets (sugary snow). Professional are continuing to monitor this interface. Although the likelihood of triggering has gone down, if triggered this weak layer has the potential to produce large avalanches. This layer most likely to be triggered from a thin-spot trigger point or with a large load, like cornice fall.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.