Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Feb 15 – 16, 2012Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    New thin windslabs have developed on various aspects in the alpine. Some are due to some down flowing wind, and others due to a period of northeast winds on Monday/Tuesday.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    3–7
    Large avalanches remain a concern in shallow rocky areas where they could be triggered with a very heavy load, such as cornice fall.

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

Cloud should move into the region overnight and precipitation is expected to begin by about noon on Thursday. Western parts of the region may get 5 cm combined with moderate southerly winds. The freezing level may rise up to 1400 metres during the day in the west of the region. The eastern parts of the region should see freezing levels rise to about 800 metres and drop back to near valley bottom overnight. Another ridge is forecast for Friday that should bring mostly clear skies and light winds during the day. The next Pacific frontal system is expected to move inland from the coast during the evening. Forecast amounts for the overnight period and during the day on Saturday are light, probably about 10 cm in total.

Avalanche Summary

Surface snow has been sluffing readily with rider traffic on steep shady slopes (northerly facing) and strong solar radiation has resulted in afternoon snowballing and isolated small wet loose avalanches. Deep persistent slab avalanches remain possible with heavy triggers (like cornices) in shallow rocky snowpack areas on unsupported slopes.

Snowpack Summary

5-15cm of fresh snow is sitting on the major surface hoar created at the beginning of the month. Some thin windslab mat have developed in the alpine due to moderate westerly winds. This interface will be one to watch as it receives more snow load and/or the slab settles. Below that 30cm of near-surface facets can be found on shady slopes while a sun crust can be found on southerly aspects. Moist snow reported to near treeeline. In shallow snowpack areas concerns remain for the mid-December persistent weakness down around 80-100cm and for basal facets.

Regions covered