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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 3rd, 2019–Jan 4th, 2019
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Kootenay Boundary.

Snowfall and wind will drive avalanche hazard. Approach cross-loaded features and rollovers with caution, more reactive deposits will be in wind affected terrain.

Confidence

Low - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Flurries, 10-15 cm snow. Moderate south wind with extreme gusts. Freezing level 1500m .FRIDAY: Cloudy with flurries, 5-10 cm snow. Moderate to strong southwest wind. Freezing level 1100mSATURDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, up to 5 cm snow. Moderate southeast wind. Freezing level 1300 m.SUNDAY: Flurries, 5-15 cm snow. Light southwest wind with occasional moderate to strong gusts. Freezing level 1200 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Wednesday, however there was evidence of a natural avalanche cycle to size 2.5 on North to East aspects resulting from an wind event early this week. From Monday, ski cutting produced a few small wind slab avalanches (size 1) on freshly loaded slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Fresh storm slabs are expected to develop with new snow into Friday. Several layers of small spotty surface hoar and thin crusts have been observed in the top 50 cm of the snowpack. Some snowpack tests suggest the snow may be poorly bonded to these layers in isolated areas. However, the main weak layer worth considering is still the widespread weak layer that formed in early December. The layer consists of a rain crust with a weak layer of feathery surface hoar and sugary facets and can be found 50 to 100 cm below the surface. Although there has not been a reported avalanche on this layer in over a week, the storm could be enough to reawaken it.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

New snow and wind will add load to the snowpack and may also stress deeper weak layers. Expect more reactive deposits of snow in wind loaded areas.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2