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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 9th, 2020–Feb 10th, 2020
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kootenay Boundary.

The wind shifted to a northerly direction loading lee terrain features on all aspects. Wind slabs might still be sensitive to human triggers. Be careful when transitioning into wind affected terrain. 

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Sunday Night: Cloudy, moderate northwest wind, alpine high -8 C, freezing level at valley bottom.

Monday: Sunny, light north wind, alpine high -10 C, freezing level 1000 m.

Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, light westerly wind, alpine high -7 C, freezing level 1000 m.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, light northwest wind, alpine high -7 C, freezing level 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

After the storm on Saturday numerous small (size 1) and a few large (size 2) avalanches were triggered with explosives and several small avalanches were triggered by skiers. 

On Friday a few small (size 1) slab avalanches were triggered by skiers in lee terrain features. 

On Thursday a few large (size 2-2.5) slab avalanches released naturally during the night. One large (size 3) slab avalanche was triggered by explosives in the west of the region. Several small (size 1-1.5) slab avalanches were triggered by skiers mainly on south and east aspects. 

Snowpack Summary

The wind shifted direction and redistributed the snow onto a variety of aspects loading lee terrain features at treeline and in the alpine. The recent storm snow sits on a thick rain crust as high as 2000 m and varies from 25-45 cm in the east of the region to 40-100 cm in the west of the region. Recent avalanches slid on the crust or released within the storm snow. 

Weak facet/crust layers near the base of the snowpack have not been an active avalanche problem recently. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind has recently switched direction from northwest to southwest and back again. Most of the recent avalanches released within the recent storm snow or on the thick rain crust underneath. Wind slabs might still be sensitive to human triggers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2