Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 4th, 2019 4:25PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

The story for the next few days will be the cold and clear weather, however continue to consider the reactivity of recently buried weak layer.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light northeast wind, alpine temperature -14 C WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light north wind, alpine temperature -15 C.THURSDAY: Mainly cloudy with possible flurries, Light northwest wind, alpine temperature -14 C

Avalanche Summary

Reports from the weekend include several natural size 1.5-2 storm slab avalanches and explosives triggered size 2-2.5 storm slab avalanches on southerly and northerly aspects up to 2200m. Additionally, there were several observations of naturally triggered size 2 wind slab avalanches on northerly aspects in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

10-30 cm of new snow falling late last week sits on variety of snow surfaces, which may include wind crust in wind exposed areas, a crust on solar aspects to mountain top and weak feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas treeline and below. In some places this surface hoar is reported to be sitting on a crust.40-80 cm below the snow surface, expect to find another crust on south aspects and another layer of feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded areas. This deeper layer of surface hoar may be most reactive at treeline elevations on shady aspects. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Shifting winds have redistributed last week's new snow onto a variety of aspects.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Stay alert to changing conditions with elevation.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

There is a layer a layer of weak feathery surface hoar 20-40 cm below the surface and another 40-80 cm down. The former is currently reported to be most reactive, especially where it is sitting on a hard crust.

Be aware of the possibility of avalanches triggering on one layer and stepping down to anotherCaution around sheltered open areas treeline and belowWatch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 5th, 2019 2:00PM