Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 31st, 2012–Jan 1st, 2013

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

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.

Persistent slabs may be found in the Rossland Range. Check the Forecast Details tab for more information.

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Moderate N winds. Alpine temperature near -4. No precipitation. Wednesday: Light W winds. Alpine temperature near -2. No precipitation.Thursday: Light S winds. Alpine temperature near -1. No precipitation.

Avalanche Summary

Small skier-triggered wind slabs and loose moist avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs may be found behind terrain breaks such as ridges, ribs and gully walls. Slopes receiving direct sun may now swing between exhibiting moist snow and a frozen sun crust. A generally settled upper snowpack overlies the late November surface hoar, buried down 115-130 cm. This layer seems particularly reactive in the Rossland Range, where an avalanche a week ago, snowpack test results and a whumpf on Sunday demonstrate its potential reactivity, especially from thin snowpack areas. A deeply buried crust/facet layer near the base of the snowpack is considered dormant. Although unlikely, there is a lingering possibility of triggering a deep avalanche on this layer.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may be found behind ridges, ribs and gully walls.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Be aware of thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilites.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3