Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 17th, 2016 9:07AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

The early January surface hoar layer is still alive and well at all elevations. Careful investigation of the snowpack and conservative terrain use continue to be critical. Check out the new forecaster blog at avalanche.ca/blogs or click here.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

As this weekends storm exits the interior regions we may squeeze out a few more cm of snow by Monday morning. No additional snow is expected Monday to Wednesday. Freezing levels should remain at or near valley bottom, though their is some disagreement in the models regarding freezing levels. Ridgetop winds are expected to stay in the light to moderate range out of the southwest. For additional weather information see avalanche.ca/weather

Avalanche Summary

Over the weekend we had limited observations of new avalanches. However, we anticipate continued human triggering of persistent slab avalanches on the surface hoar layer that was buried in early January.

Snowpack Summary

10-15 cm of new snow with moderate winds have created fresh wind slabs sitting on top of recent snow surfaces on lee features in the alpine. A 40-60 cm persistent slab overlays a variety of surfaces including large surface hoar, sun crusts, and facets. This slab is ripe for human triggers. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The early January surface hoar layer has been reactive to human triggers at ALL elevations in the Kootenay Boundary.

Use conservative route selection, stick to moderate angled terrain with low consequence.>Avoid steep open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved. Caution in cutblocks.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Wind Slabs

Expect touchy wind slabs on wind loaded features in the alpine.

Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 18th, 2016 2:00PM