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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 29th, 2022–Jan 30th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Storm slab avalanches will become more likely throughout the day as the new snow accumulates and buried the surface hoar crystals and the melt-freeze crust.

Confidence

Moderate - We are confident the likelihood of avalanche will increase with the arrival of the forecast weather. Uncertainty is due to the timing of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

The weather pattern is changing as the upper ridge of high pressure over B.C. has flatten allowing the Pacific system to move over the province.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace of precipitation, 20-25 km/h southwesterly winds, low alpine temperature -7 C with freezing level at valley bottom.

SUNDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5 to 10 cm during the day and 10 to 15 cm overnight, 20-25 km/h southwesterly winds, high alpine temperature -5 C with freezing level at valley bottom.

MONDAY: Early-morning snowfall then clearing, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 30-50 km/h northwesterly winds, high alpine temperature -8 C with freezing level at valley bottom.

TUESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation, 30-40 km/h northwesterly winds, high alpine temperature -10 C with freezing level at valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Alpine terrain has variable wind effect. Surface hoar crystals are found on the snow surface in sheltered areas and a melt-freeze crust on solar aspects. These will become important layers to track as they get buried by new snow. 

There are several other crust and surface hoar layers buried 20-40 cm deep. These layers have shown variable results in snowpack tests and in many areas do not currently present as a problem. 

A crust and facet layer near the bottom of the snowpack (100 to 200 cm deep) has been responsible for sporadic avalanche activity since early December, but is not a concern under the current weather conditions. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
  • Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Use caution when approaching steep and rocky terrian.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.