Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 27th, 2016 3:00PM

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

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Small wind slaps in steep or exposed terrain could have severe consequence.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Unsettled weather on Sunday with flurries amounting to 5-10cm. Ridgetop winds spike Sunday afternoon with strong southwesterlies, then die down for remainder of period. Freezing levels should remain under 1600m.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday numerous natural loose wet avalanches to size 2 were reported on steep solar aspects in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Sunday's snow will bury the widespread surface hoar being reported up to 20mm in size on shady aspects at all elevations throughout the region. The strong winds associated with Sunday's storm will build fresh wind slabs on lee features in alpine. Cornices are large and looming. The mid February layer is down 70-100cm and is the primary layer of concern. This layer is a crust and generally well bonded to the overlying persistent slab. However, in isolated areas on northerly aspects between 1800-2100m the layer is surface hoar which means there are still a few "land mines" out there that if triggered could produce large destructive avalanches.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs will likely be small but could be consequential in exposed terrain with fall hazard.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Avoid cornice threatened slopes if sun comes out.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating. >Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

This is still a layer to keep in mind, as an avalanche on this layer could be large and destructive.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Feb 28th, 2016 2:00PM