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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 23rd, 2023–Feb 24th, 2023

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

Regions

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

Sustained strong, easterly winds have created wind slabs in exposed terrain on all aspects and elevations.

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 recent explosive control work has produced a few storm slab avalanches up to size 3.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong north to east winds continue to redistribute recent snow into wind slabs in exposed terrain on all aspects.

Down roughly 30 to 60 cm from the surface are 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

Thursday night

Mostly clear / Moderate northeast ridgetop winds / Treeline temperatures around -20 C.

Friday

Sunny / Light northerly ridgetop winds, shifting to the southwest by end of the day / Treeline temperatures -15 to -20 C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and clouds, snow beginning at end of the day / Light to moderate southwest ridgetop winds / Treeline temperatures -10 to -15 C.

Sunday

Snowfall, 10 to 20 cm / Moderate southwest ridgetop winds / Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.