Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 15th, 2017 3:44PM

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

jmcbride, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

A thin cover of new snow now overlies a variety of old surfaces depending on aspect and elevation. As more snow starts to accumulate, investigate how well it's bonding to the old surface before committing yourself.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, flurries. Accumulation trace. Ridge wind light from the northwest. Temperature -6. Freezing level 500 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 5-10 cm. Ridge wind moderate from the southwest. Temperature -6. Freezing level 600 m.MONDAY: Mostly cloudy, flurries. Accumulation trace. Ridge wind moderate from the west. Temperature -3. Freezing level 900 m.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no reports of avalanche activity since last weekend when small, loose, dry avalanches were observed from skier traffic in steep terrain on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 5 cm of new snow has fallen on a variety of old snow surfaces dependent on aspect and elevation. On solar aspects a thin melt-freeze crust has been buried. On northerly aspects, feathery, surface hoar crystals (10-30 mm in length) have been buried below treeline as well as protected areas at treeline. In the alpine the old surface consisted of sugary snow (facets) and hard, wind scoured snow. Below the snow surface the upper snowpack is well settled and overlies a series of late-November crusts which is now buried 20-50 cm and is 15-25 cm thick. Recent snowpack tests have produced hard, resistant compression test results within the layers of this crust. Below the crust layer the lower snowpack is moist and well settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

The new storm may be easily triggered especially in areas where there has been additional loading from wind.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets in leeward areas, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 16th, 2017 2:00PM