Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 14th, 2017–Dec 15th, 2017

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kootenay Boundary.

With snow and wind in the forecast for Friday, watch for fresh windslabs building in alpine, lee areas throughout the day.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: Cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 5-10 cm. Ridge wind light to moderate from the west. Temperature -5. Freezing level 800 m.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light flurries. Accumulation trace. Ridge wind moderate from the northwest. Temperature -9. Freezing level 500 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 5 cm. Ridge wind light to moderate from the southwest. Temperature -7. Freezing level 600 m.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no reports of avalanche activity since the weekend when small, loose, dry avalanches were observed from skier traffic in steep terrain on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface varies widely depending on aspect and elevation. On solar aspects a thin melt-freeze crust exists. On northerly aspects, feathery, surface hoar crystals (10-30 mm in length) have been observed below treeline as well as protected areas at treeline. In the alpine the surface consists of sugary snow (facets) and hard, wind scoured snow. Below the snow surface the upper snowpack is well settled and overlies a series of late-November crusts which is now buried 20-50 cm and is 15-25 cm thick. Recent snowpack tests have produced hard, resistant compression test results within the layers of this crust. Below the crust layer the lower snowpack is moist and well settled.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

The bond between the new snow and the old surface will be the big question once the storm snow starts to accumulate and be redistributed by winds.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2