Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 26th, 2018 3:00PM

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

mconlan, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

A weak layer will continue to linger over the holiday season. A conservative approach to your terrain selection is the best way to manage it. See the forecaster's blog here, which describes this persistent problem.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with light snowfall, freezing level below valley bottom.THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light northwest winds, alpine temperature -10 C, freezing level below valley bottom.FRIDAY: Increasing clouds over the day, light to moderate west winds, alpine temperature -12 C, freezing level below valley bottom.SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, strong southwest winds, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level rising to 900 m over the day.

Avalanche Summary

One small wind slab avalanche was triggered by explosives with a depth of about 15 cm. Otherwise no new avalanches were observed on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Around 5 cm of snow fell on Wednesday. This fell on a thin sun crust on southerly aspects and small feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas.Beneath this, around 50 to 100 cm of snow is poorly bonded to a rain crust and a weak layer of feathery surface hoar and sugary facets. Although there has not been a reported avalanche on this layer for about a week, snowpack test results tell us that it is still possible to trigger. It is best to remain conservative and travel cautiously with this layer in the snowpack.The lower snowpack is well-settled.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

A weak layer buried around 50 to 100 cm is still the main concern. Expect to find it on all aspects and all elevations, except for the most exposed of terrain where wind or sun may have altered it.

Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.Choose low-angle terrain without overhead exposure and watch for clues of instability.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 27th, 2018 2:00PM