Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 26th, 2016 8:20AM

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

bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Rising temperatures, strong winds, and increasing snow load are the perfect recipe for avalanches.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Cloudy with snow flurries on Wednesday afternoon. 10 to 20 cm's of snow forecast for Thursday at upper elevations.Â Freezing levels are forecast to be high on Thursday, possibly going above 1500 metres.Â A brief break in the weather Thursday night, then another 5 to 10cm on Friday, tapering off for the weekend.Â Moderate to strong SW winds are forecast at ridge top and above.

Avalanche Summary

No reports of rider triggered avalanches from yesterday, but operators are still reporting impressive results with explosives. With the continued moderate to strong South West winds, storm snow is being redistributed on lee features around tree line and above.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snowfall combined with strong ridge top winds have formed slabs at all elevations these past few days. A rain crust formed at the end of the last storm between 1500 and 2000 metres, now has 10 to 20 cm of storm snow resting on it. In some places, storm snow sits on a crust with facets around 90 cm below the surface. These facets may be the remnants of a surface hoar layer formed at the beginning of January. Recent testing has shown this facet layer to be reactive, especially in places with no previous skier or rider activity. It appears to be most prominent at treeline and below, and on all aspects. A melt freeze crust from December buried anywhere from 80 to 130cm across the region is still prominent in the snowpack, but no recent avalanche activity has been reported at this interface. Below this, the snowpack is generally well settled and strong.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Avoiding wind loaded slopes is the key to safe back country travel these days. Choose mellow terrain that has not been wind affected.

Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

This buried surface hoar layer will be on the radar for a while longer. If triggered, it could produce a large destructive avalanche.

Use conservative route selection, stick to moderate angled terrain with low consequence.>Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Jan 27th, 2016 2:00PM