Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 21st, 2019 4:23PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

mconlan, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

The recent snow may still be touchy to human traffic. Tread cautiously and keep a conservative mindset if you notice slab properties or see signs of snow instability.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy skies, freezing level below valley bottom.TUESDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation trace to 5 cm, light to moderate southwest winds, alpine temperature -8 C, freezing level below valley bottom.WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15 cm, light to moderate southwest winds, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level below valley bottom.THURSDAY: Mostly clear skies, light northwest winds, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level rising to 2200 m over the day.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, skiers triggered small (size 1) wind and storm slabs within the recent 10 to 20 cm of snow.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 to 20 cm of recent snow fell with strong southwest winds. This snow fell onto a sun crust on south aspects and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas at all elevation bands. The new snow may not bond well to these layers, particularly in areas where the new snow has slab properties, such as in wind-loaded terrain features.Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled.

Problems

Storm Slabs

The recent storm snow may not bond well to underlying layers. Treating this snow with caution is advised. The deepest and touchiest snow may be in lee terrain features due to recent strong southwest winds.

Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, cracking, or recent avalanches.Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2019 2:00PM