Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 3rd, 2013 9:27AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Overnight Sunday and Monday: Light snowfall becoming very light on Monday / Strong northwest winds becoming moderate and westerly on Monday / Alpine temperature of -5.0Tuesday: Light snowfall / Strong southwest winds / Alpine temperature of -4.0 Wednesday: Light snowfall / Light southwest winds / Alpine temperature of -8.0

Avalanche Summary

Numerous solar induced point releases to size 1.5 were reported running on steep, south-facing terrain. These occurred in response to warming on Saturday. A few size 1 slabs have also been reported running on the January 23rd interface. They ran 30cm deep between 1800m and 1900m on east facing terrain.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface is a combination of hard and soft wind slabs in exposed areas, settled storm snow in more sheltered terrain, and a crust or moist snow on solar aspects. About 30-40cm below the surface, an interface of surface hoar, facets or sun crust buried on Jan 23 continues to be a concern among professionals in the region. The snowpack below this is generally well bonded.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Forecast strong west winds and light snowfall may create fresh and reactive windslabs in lee terrain.

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

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

A mixed bag of weak interfaces is buried about 40 cm down. The nature of these weaknesses may vary considerably from slope to slope.

Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.>Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Feb 4th, 2013 2:00PM