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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 22nd, 2023–Feb 23rd, 2023

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir, Moyie.

Recently formed strom and wind slabs may still need some time to settle and stabilize. Investigate the bond between recent snow and underlying surfaces before committing to larger terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several storm slab and wind slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported on Monday and Tuesday, both natural and rider-triggered. While explosive control work produced a few storm slab avalanches up to size 3.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40 cm of new snow arrived with strong, variable winds, creating widespread storm and wind slabs. The recent snow has buried a layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain and a sun crust on steep south-facing slopes.

A slightly older layer of large surface hoar may be found down roughly 50-80 cm below the surface. Otherwise, the snowpack is generally well consolidated and bonding.

The lower snowpack consists of a layer of weak, sugary crystals that is slowly gaining strength and doesn't currently appear to present the same problem as neighboring regions to the north and east. However, we continue to track the layer and watch for any signs that it could wake up and produce very large avalanches.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Mostly clear / Moderate east ridgetop winds / Treeline temperatures -15 to -20 C.

Thursday

Sunny / Moderate northeast to east ridgetop winds / Treeline temperatures -15 to -20 C.

Friday

Sunny / Light to moderate northeast ridgetop winds / Treeline temperatures -15 to -20 C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and clouds / Light southwest ridgetop winds / Treeline temperatures -10 to -15 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • 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 larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
  • Investigate the bond of the recent snow

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.