Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Kootenay Boundary.
New snow is forecast to continue to accumulate over the next few days, gradually increasing the load sitting above buried persistent weak layers. Persistent slab avalanches are best managed by choosing conservative terrain.
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how buried persistent weak layers will react with the forecast incoming weather.
Weather Forecast
Tuesday night: Flurries, accumulation 5-10 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine high -7, freezing level 700 m.
Wednesday: Snow, 5-15 cm, moderate southwest wind, alpine high -4, freezing level 1100 m.
Thursday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks and isolated flurries, light northwest wind, alpine high -4, freezing level 1000 m.
Friday: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks, moderate to strong south wind, alpine high -4, freezing level 900 m.
Avalanche Summary
A remotely triggered (from a distance) size 2 persistent slab avalanche was reported near Rossland on Sunday. The details can be seen in MIN posts here and here.
Numerous natural, human and explosive triggered storm slabs size 1-2.5 were reported on Saturday and Sunday. Check out this avalanche triggered remotely by a skier in Kootenay Pass on the weekend.
Sporadic reports of persistent slab avalanches have been popping up, including a natural size 3 near Whitewater on Sunday. With new snow slowly but steadily piling up, the chances of a resurgence of persistent slab avalanches will increase. This incremental loading makes it difficult to predict when the tipping point will be reached. The uncertainty around this problem is best managed with conservative terrain selection.
Snowpack Summary
30-60 cm of recent storm snow has seen significant wind affect at upper elevations. In sheltered areas, the recent snow may sit over surface hoar.
Two weak layers are buried in close proximity to one another. They are 70-100 cm deep around Nelson and 50-80 cm deep around Rossland and other western parts of the region. The layers are composed of feathery surface hoar and sugary faceted grains and they overlie a hard melt-freeze crust.Â
Terrain and Travel
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of buried persistent weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggers, especially in freshly wind loaded features at upper elevations and where recent snow sits over surface hoar in wind sheltered areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Weak surface hoar and/or faceted grains sit above a melt-freeze crust 70 to 100 cm deep. This layer is being stressed as new snow slowly but steadily piles up. This incremental loading makes it difficult to predict when the tipping point will be reached. We are currently seeing only sporadic avalanches running on these layers, but they have been large. The uncertainty around this problem is best managed with conservative terrain selection.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3