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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 10th, 2020–Feb 11th, 2020
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
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

Regions: Kootenay Boundary.

Wind from a variety of directions has formed wind slabs on all aspects which may still be sensitive to human triggers. Be careful when transitioning into wind affected terrain.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Aside from a few bouts of potentially strong wind, we continue to be in a rather benign weather pattern which is expected to be with us for the foreseeable future.

MONDAY NIGHT: Freezing level at valley bottom, moderate west/northwest wind, no significant precipitation expected.

TUESDAY: Overcast, freezing level rising to around 1500 m in the afternoon, moderate to strong west/northwest wind, 1 to 3 cm of snow possible.

WEDNESDAY: A few clouds, freezing level rising to 1000 m in the afternoon, light variable wind, no significant precipitation expected.

THURSDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level rising to around 1000 m in the afternoon, moderate to strong southwest wind, 1 to 5 cm of snow possible.

Avalanche Summary

After the storm on Saturday and Sunday numerous small (size 1) and a few large (size 2) avalanches were triggered with explosives and several small avalanches were triggered by skiers, this MIN from Sunday is a good example of the reported activity. 

On Friday a few small (size 1) slab avalanches were triggered by skiers in lee terrain features. 

On Thursday a few large (size 2-2.5) slab avalanches released naturally during the night. One large (size 3) slab avalanche was triggered by explosives in the west of the region. Several small (size 1-1.5) slab avalanches were triggered by skiers mainly on south and east aspects. 

Snowpack Summary

The wind shifted direction and redistributed the snow onto a variety of aspects loading lee terrain features at treeline and in the alpine. The recent storm snow sits on a thick rain crust as high as 2000 m and varies from 25-45 cm in the east of the region to 40-100 cm in the west of the region. Recent avalanches slid on the crust or released within the storm snow. 

Weak facet/crust layers near the base of the snowpack have not been an active avalanche problem recently. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind has recently switched direction from northwest to southwest and back again. Most of the recent avalanches released within the recent storm snow or on the thick rain crust underneath. Wind slabs might still be sensitive to human triggers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2