Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 21st, 2017 4:17PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Unsettled weather through the next few days. Not enough weather inputs to significantly shift the danger ratings.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5-10cm / Light to moderate south wind / Alpine temperature -2 / Freezing level 1500mTHURSDAY: Â Cloudy with sunny breaks / Light south wind / Alpine temperature -4 / Freezing level 1300mFRIDAY: Scattered flurries / Light to moderate south wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 1400m

Avalanche Summary

Since the cooling weather trend there have been no reports of significant avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

Last weekend rain soaked the upper snowpack for a second time in a week. This time all the way to mountain tops. Cooling temperatures will have formed a 10-30cm rain crust on the surface. In parts of the region there may now be a thin layer of new snow sitting on top of the crust. Below the crust expect to see moist or wet snow. The late-February facet / surface hoar interface (70-120 cm deep), the mid-February crust (90-130 cm deep), and basal facets in shallow snowpack areas may still be present at upper elevations and may still be reactive and become a concern as surface crusts break down with daytime warming.

Problems

Loose Wet

As the freezing level rises the surface snow will become increasingly wet or moist and may begin to sluff from steep terrain.

If triggered smaller avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The likelihood of triggering persistent slabs has decreased substantially at lower elevations. At upper elevations where the recent rain crust is not as thick and strong, there is still potential to trigger deeper buried weak layers.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger deep slabs.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 22nd, 2017 2:00PM