Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 29th, 2013 8:12AM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Monday: Light snowfall, alpine temperatures -4, freezing level at 1200m, winds moderate to strong from the west.Tuesday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures -5 and freezing level at 1200m. Winds light to moderate from the west.Wednesday: Mainly dry with broken skies, alpine temperatures -6 with light winds from the west.

Avalanche Summary

Recent reports indicate a few natural avalanches running to 2 in the past 3 days. These were reported as possible windslab releases at the treeline elevation on northerly aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25 cm of recent new snow in the past 5 days and moderate to strong west and northwest winds have formed pockets of wind slab on lee slopes. A layer of surface hoar is buried 20-25 cm down, and has been reactive with the new snow, soft slab and loose dry avalanches in steeper terrain.A little deeper (between 40 - 60 cm below the surface) you may find a weak layer of surface hoar on sheltered slopes or a crust/facet combo on steep solar aspects. As the load gradually increase and stiffens over top of this layer, it may well become more reactive.In general, snowpack depths are below seasonal average with many slopes below treeline still reported to be below threshold for avalanche activity. A deeper snowpack is likely in the northern part of the region.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 30th, 2013 2:00PM