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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 14th, 2019–Dec 15th, 2019
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
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
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
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
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
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.

Storm slabs may be reactive to human triggers as they sit on a buried weak layer. There is also a deeper, persistent weak layer in the snowpack that could be reactive to human triggers, especially in shallow snowpack areas.

Confidence

Moderate - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods / light northwest winds / alpine low temperature near -9

SUNDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / northwest wind 15-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -8

MONDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / southwest wind, 25-50 km/h / alpine high temperature near -7

TUESDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / southwest winds, 40-60 km/h / alpine high temperature near -4

Avalanche Summary

There were a few reports of explosives triggered avalanches up to size 2 on Friday.

There were a few human and explosives triggered avalanches size 1-2 reported on Thursday.

Check out this MIN report of an avalanche in the Big White Backcountry on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

10- 25 cm of recent fresh snow sits on a weak layer of feathery surface hoar in many areas, and on a crust on steep south facing slopes. Previous strong winds have likely formed slabs that may be reactive to human triggers. 

There is also a persistent weak layer down approximately 50-60 cm that mainly consists of a crust with sugary faceted snow on top of it. There have been no recent avalanches reported on this layer, but recent test results indicate that this layer could react to human triggers, and propagate widely, resulting in large avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

With up to 25 cm of fresh snow sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar in many areas, be aware of the potential for human triggered storm slab avalanches. These avalanches could potentially step down to a persistent weak layer that is down about 50-60 cm, resulting in larger avalanches than expected

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2