Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 2nd, 2019–Dec 3rd, 2019

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

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kootenay Boundary.

Stormy weather will create the potential for slab avalanches in wind affected terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing, track, & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Flurries bring 5-10 cm of snow, 40-70 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine temperatures around -5 C.

TUESDAY: Morning flurries with another 5-10 cm of snow then cloudy in the afternoon, 40-70 km/h wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -3 C.

WEDNESDAY: 10-20 cm of snow, 40-50 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -2 C.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy, 20-40 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -4 C.

Avalanche Summary

Over the next few days new snow and wind will form fresh slabs that will be most reactive in wind affected terrain. There have been no recent reports of avalanches, but observations are limited this time of year.

Snowpack Summary

By Tuesday afternoon there will be 10 to 20 cm of new snow, with strong wind forming deeper deposits at higher elevations. The new snow is falling on hard surfaces including wind pressed snow and rain crusts. Snowpack depths are about 100 cm at treeline elevations and taper quickly below treeline. The lower snowpack contains several 'sandwiched' layers of facets and crusts as well as a potential surface hoar layer (see video here). These type of layers can potentially develop into avalanche problems, but are most likely unreactive at the moment.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong wind from the southwest will blow new snow into slabs that will be possible to trigger near ridgetops.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5