Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 29th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
snow safety,
The danger remains Moderate due to uncertainty around the deeper facets, especially in Kootenay. It is very difficult to estimate whether a slope will avalanche with these types of layers. Your terrain choices will be the best risk management.
Summary
Weather Forecast
The ridge of high pressure will break down Sunday as a westerly low move into the forecast region. This low pressure system will bring 5 to 15cm of snow with higher accumulation amount to the western part of the region. By Monday evening an Arctic cold front will cool things off dropping overnight lows down into the -30s.
Snowpack Summary
Wind effect and wind slabs in the alpine and exposed tree-line areas and suncrust on steep south facing terrain. In sheltered areas, 20-40 cm of soft snow overlies facets and a (Dec 2) crust/facet interface generally 60-100cm deep. This layer continues to produce sudden test results in Kootenay Park.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed or reported on Saturday. Over the past week we have received reports and observed a few avalanche to size 3 on the persistent weak layer. All of these avalanches were triggered by large loads (cornice).
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent winds have created windslabs in the alpine and some treeline locations. Older wind slabs are likely losing some reactivity, but may be more reactive where they overly facets.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This problem represents both the Dec. 2nd crust/ facet layer (treeline and below) and the late December facet layer. Lots of variation in the sensitivity ranging from reactive sudden collapse to no results depending on location, aspect and elevation.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Forecasters are operating with alot of uncertainty at this time.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 30th, 2022 4:00PM
