Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Mar 6 – 7, 2014Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3–6
    The mid-Feb weak layer still remains reactive in some areas and has the potential to produce large, destructive avalanches. Warm temperatures and the load of the new snow may 'wake up' this weak layer and very large natural avalanches are possible.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    2–4
    Warm temperatures and/or rain is encouraging the settlement of the storm snow into a slab that overlies a variety of potentially weak surfaces. Moderate to strong SW winds have formed stiff wind slabs in lee features.

Avalanche Summary

The storm slab remains reactive, producing natural, accidental and controlled avalanches up to size 2.5 on all aspects and at a variety of elevations. Avalanche activity was greatest in areas where the recent precipitation fell as rain.Avalanche activity on the mid pack's persistent weak layer has decreased recently which indicating that it is has become harder to trigger.  However, the few avalanches that have released on this layer have been large and destructive.  Some of these have been triggered remotely.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 55cm of new storm snow sits on top of a variety of old surfaces.  A layer of facets can be found on north aspects with a sun crust on many shout facing slopes.  In sheltered and shaded features the storm buried surface hoar. Warm temperatures are causing the new snow to settle into a widespread soft slab.  Sustained SW winds have have formed winds labs in lee features. Below 1800m rain may have saturated the upper snowpack.The midpack is broken by a widespread persistent weak layer buried mid February and now found down 90 to 120cm. The form of this week layer varies from surface hoar  to a sun crust and/or facets but it can be found at all elevations, on all  aspects and is still a concern.

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: A ridge of high pressure over the coast should mean drier conditions Friday before the next front system slides down the BC coast on Saturday extending into southeastern BC by late Sunday. Tonight and Friday: Isolated flurries or showers possible / Light W winds / Freezing levels 2000m Saturday:  Isolated flurries or showers possible / Moderate SW winds / Freezing levels 2000m Sunday: Wet snow or rain overnight / Moderate to strong SW winds / Freezing levels 2100m

Regions covered