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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 19th, 2021–Mar 20th, 2021

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

With cool temperatures and a dusting of new snow the main hazard is isolated pockets of wind slabs.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Scattered flurries with 5-10 cm of snow, 30-40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures drop to -7 C.

SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with some light flurries and up to 5 cm of new snow, 20-30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C, freezing level climbs to 1300 m.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy, 20-30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -7 C.

MONDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries and 5-10 cm of snow, 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C.

Avalanche Summary

While there are no recent reports of avalanches, wind slabs could be reactive to human triggering on some steep terrain features.

Snowpack Summary

Unsettled weather has delivered about 10 cm of snow which may have formed isolated wind slabs at higher elevations. This snow overlies a widespread melt-freeze crust, with the exception of high elevation northerly aspects where the snow sits above a small surface hoar layer.

Deeper in the snowpack, a persistent weak layer from late January is buried around 80 to 150 cm and is composed of a combination of surface hoar, facets, and crusts. We haven't received a report of avalanche activity on this layer since late February and the likelihood of triggering this layer is currently low.

As always, best to avoid shallow, rocky areas where a weak and faceted snowpack may be found.

Terrain and Travel

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

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.