Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 24th, 2020 5:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
dsaly,
Avalanche Canada
Triggering avalanches remains likely where new snow and wind has formed storm slabs, especially at higher elevations.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine temperature -5 C. Southwest wind 20-35 km/hr.
SATURDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries, 5 cm. Alpine temperature -2 C. Southwest wind 20-30 km/hr. Freezing level 1400 m.
SUNDAY: Snow, 10-20 cm. Alpine temperature -2 C. Southwest wind 30-40 km/hr. Freezing level 1400 m.
MONDAY: Flurries, up to 10 cm. Alpine temperature -4 C. Southwest wind 15-20 km/hr with gusts to 50 km/hr. Freezing level 1200 m.
Avalanche Summary
Early reports on Friday documented numerous small (size 1-1.5) storm slab avalanches triggered by explosives.
On Thursday, skiers triggered size 1-2 storm slab avalanches including this MIN report of a skier triggered avalanche at Kootenay Pass. This avalanche was triggered on a south aspect at treeline and ran for a long distance above the recently buried crust. Several loose wet avalanches were reported on southerly aspects below 2000 m.
No persistent slab avalanches have been observed since January 14, suggesting deep weak layers have become difficult to trigger under the current conditions.
Snowpack Summary
With 20-40 cm of snow over the past few days, expect to find fresh storm and wind slabs. Warm temperatures have promoted settlement in the upper snowpack and moist surface snow below 1700 m. This new snow sits above a thin crust layer that formed last weekend.
We have been tracking two layers over the past month: a layer of surface hoar buried 80-120 cm below the surface and faceted crystals and crusts near the bottom of the snowpack in certain parts of the region (especially western areas such as the Rossland Range and Boundary region). Both of these layers have shown signs of being less reactive over the past 10 days.
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow, wind, and mild temperatures continue to form reactive storm slabs, especially at higher elevations and in wind affected terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 25th, 2020 5:00PM
