Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Jan 26 – 27, 2014Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

As danger approaches LOW across the board, it's a good time to remind ourselves that low danger doesn't mean no danger. Food for thought on this blog post.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    3–5
    With forecast cooling deep persistent slabs will become less likely. That said, some professionals in the north of the region are still leary of some slopes that did not recently avalanche. Watch for triggering in steep, rocky start zones.

Confidence

Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Monday: Mainly clear skies with valley cloud / Light northerly winds / Freezing level at 1100mTuesday: Clear skies / Light westerly winds / Temperature inversion is expected with alpine temperatures hovering around 0.0Wednesday: Light snowfall / Light west winds / Freezing level at 1100m

Avalanche Summary

With recent warm alpine temperatures natural avalanches to size 2.5 were reported on steep solar aspects. In at least 1 case, avalanche activity occurred as a wet slab and ran to ground.

Snowpack Summary

A dusting of snow overlies a variety of surfaces which include old, stubborn wind slabs in exposed upper elevation terrain and well developed surface hoar in sheltered terrain. Surface hoar continues to grow at treeline and below while sun-exposed slopes are now sporting a melt-freeze crust. Ongoing moderate daytime temperatures have promoted settlement within the snowpack, while cool nights have allowed for significant surface faceting.Closer to the ground, below a generally strong and well settled mid pack, there are 2 layers of note: the late November surface hoar, and a crust/facet combo which formed in October. These layers have become unlikely to trigger (maybe a cornice fall, a heavy load over a thin spot in steep terrain, or a rapid temperature change). That said, avalanches at these interfaces would be large and destructive.

Regions covered