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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 27th, 2020–Jan 28th, 2020

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Watch for wind-loaded pockets around steep rolls and ridetops.

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern; little change is expected for several days.

Weather Forecast

Monday night: Flurries bringing up to 5 cm new snow. Moderate southwest winds, becoming strong at ridgetop. Alpine low -5 C. Freezing level 700 m.

Tuesday: Flurries bringing up to 5 cm new snow. Moderate southwest winds. Alpine high -2 C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Wednesday: Flurries bringing up to 5 cm new snow. Strong southwest winds. Alpine high -1 C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate northwest to southwest winds. Alpine high -1 C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday and Monday, storm slabs were reactive to skier traffic up to size 1.5 on lee features in the alpine. On Saturday, natural storm slab avalanches to size 2 were reported with most occurring on north to east aspects at 1900 m and above. 

Snowpack Summary

20-40 cm of recent snow has consolidated into a slab above 1500 m. Within this recent snow are several crusts from warm temperatures and rain events during the storm. Overnight flurries are dusting the surface crust at lower elevations and adding to the stubborn slab at higher elevations.

We have been tracking two layers over the past month: a layer of surface hoar buried 80-120 cm below the surface and faceted crystals and crusts near the bottom of the snowpack in certain parts of the region (especially western areas such as the Rossland Range and Boundary region). Both of these layers have been trending less reactive over the past two weeks.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.

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.