Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 2nd, 2015–Mar 3rd, 2015

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kootenay Boundary.

Convective flurries on Monday will result in highly variable snow accumulations throughout the region. Pay close attention to how much snow fell in you area, and choose terrain accordingly.

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

Mainly clear skies are expected for the forecast period as a dry ridge rebuilds. Ridge top winds are expected to remain generally moderate from the northwest. Freezing levels are forecast to sit at valley bottom for Tuesday, and then rise to about 1300m on Wednesday and Thursday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the past few days.

Snowpack Summary

Shady and sheltered slopes have around 5-10 cm of fresh low-density snow, with thin wind slabs forming in exposed lee terrain. Sun-exposed slopes likely have a thin sun crust on the surface. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is a thick crust, down 5-30 cm. This crust is supportive all the way to ridge crest and is effectively "capping" the snowpack, keeping riders from tickling any deeper weak layers. There are still weak layers below this crust that we'll continue to monitor, but for now these layers are dormant. We would likely need significant warming and/or heavy loading to re-activate them.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

On Monday snowfall amounts throughout the region were highly variable. Combined with moderate winds, these accumulations could produce fresh wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. Loose dry avalanches may also be concern on steep sheltered slopes.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2