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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 17th, 2013–Dec 18th, 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
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

Regions: Kootenay Boundary.

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Cloudy with lingering flurries in the morning, gradually clearing and cooling is possible late in the day. The freezing level lowers to near valley bottom and winds are light to moderate from the northwest.  Thursday: Mainly sunny with increasing cloud later in the day. Temperatures drop as Arctic air surges south. Winds are light to moderate from the northwest-west. Friday: Cloudy with flurries or light snow. The freezing level is at valley bottom and winds are moderate from the west-southwest.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches have been reported in the last few days.

Snowpack Summary

Light snowfall and strong west-southwest winds have formed pockets of soft wind slab on lee slopes and scoured windward slopes in exposed terrain. Between 35 and 50cm below the surface you may find a weak layer of surface hoar on sheltered slopes and a melt-freeze crust on steep solar aspects. Most reports indicate this layer is "stubborn" to trigger, or there may not be a deep enough overlying slab to create a significant hazard. That said, I'd remain curious about this interface, especially as the snow load increases.In general, snowpack depths are below seasonal average and many slopes below treeline are reported to be below threshold for avalanche activity. Deeper snow is likely in the northern part of the region.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent strong westerly winds have produced pockets of dense wind slab in exposed lee terrain and cross-loaded features. Rider triggering is possible. 
Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>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 - 2