Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Dec 18, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Fresh wind slabs are building in unusual places. Use caution as you transition into exposed terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Fresh wind slabs on the downwind side of ridge crests and terrain features have formed. Expect to find these pillows of wind-transported snow in unusual places thanks to recent northerly winds.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

Sunday: Cloudy with scattered flurries / Light to moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -11Monday: Periods of snow: accumulations 15-20cm / Light to moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -9 Tuesday: Cloudy with flurries / Moderate to strong wind / Alpine temperature of -7

Avalanche Summary

Recent reports indicate avalanche activity as thin windslabs in the alpine to size 1 and loose now sluffing in steep terrain to size 1.

Snowpack Summary

Around 30cm of faceted powder overlies the facets and surface hoar that was buried last weekend. Variable light to moderate winds have loaded immediate leeward features with touchy wind slabs. A widespread crust that was buried in November is typically down 80-100cm. Recent tests show this persistent weakness has the propensity to propagate large avalanches if triggered, from thin rocky areas, for instance.

Regions covered