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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 30th, 2013–Dec 31st, 2013
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
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
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

Regions: Kootenay Boundary.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Dry, mostly cloudy with some sunny breaks. Treeline temperature around -1C. Ridgetop winds aronud 40 km/h from the W or NW.Wednesday: Dry, cloudy with some sunny periods. Temperatures starting cool but rising to around -2C in the afternoon. Winds around 30 km/h from the NW.Thursday:  Precipitation becoming steadily heavier through the day. Around 5 cm expected. Freezing levels rising in the afternoon to around 1500 m. SW winds up to 60 km/h.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, a natural size 2 avalanche was observed on a NE aspect at 1900 m. There have been no further reports of avalanche activity since then.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25 cm of recent new snow in the past 5 days and moderate to strong west and northwest winds have formed pockets of wind slab on lee slopes. A layer of surface hoar is buried 20-25 cm down, and has been reactive with the new snow, soft slab and loose dry avalanches in steeper terrain.A little deeper (between 40 - 60 cm below the surface) you may find a weak layer of surface hoar on sheltered slopes or a crust/facet combo on steep solar aspects. As the load gradually increase and stiffens over top of this layer, it may well become more reactive.In general, snowpack depths are below seasonal average with many slopes below treeline still reported to be below threshold for avalanche activity. A deeper snowpack is likely in the northern part of the region.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slab is most likely to lurk immediately behind ridgetops and terrain breaks in exposed terrain.
Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3