Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 13th, 2014 8:23AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Avalanche Danger is trending down due to below freezing temperatures after the recent rain.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

Clearing skies and cooling temperatures are forecast for Saturday night. Freezing levels are expected to drop down to valley bottoms by Sunday morning. It should be mostly clear with light winds on Sunday, but some areas may have valley cloud in the morning that might persist during the day. Freezing levels are forecast to rise up to 1500 metres during the day and then drop down to valley bottoms by Monday morning. Clear with light winds during the day on Monday. Cloud is forecast to move in from the Southwest on Tuesday, but so far it does not look like there is much precipitation associated with this cloud.

Avalanche Summary

No new reports of avalanches from this region

Snowpack Summary

Rain from the past week has saturated the snowpack in most areas, and a hard crust likely exists to about 2100m. The thickness of the crust will depend on elevation and how much rain fell. At higher elevations, snow and strong winds have added depth and cohesion to a storm slab which may be sitting on a weak layer of hard rain crust, facets, and/or surface hoar. Near the base of the snowpack is a crust/facet combination which formed in November. This interface remains a concern at higher elevations in many parts of the region as it continues to produce whumpfing, and has the potential for wide propagations.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Some areas in the alpine may continue to have deep pockets of wind transported snow that have not bonded well to the old surface.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

High alpine terrain that did not get rain during the last storm may continue to have a storm slab above a deeply buried crust that could act as a smooth sliding layer.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Avoid large alpine features with smooth ground cover.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Dec 14th, 2014 2:00PM