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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 5th, 2020–Feb 6th, 2020

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

The main concern are wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline in immediate lee terrain features which were formed by wind with switching directions.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Wednesday Night: Cloudy with isolated flurries, light to moderate northwest wind, alpine high -6 C, freezing level 500 m.

Thursday: Cloudy with isolated flurries, light to moderate northwest wind, alpine high -5 C, freezing level 800 m.

Friday: Cloudy with sunny breaks, accumulation up to 10 cm, light northwest wind, alpine high -4 C, freezing level 900 m.

Saturday: Snow, accumulation 10-15 cm, light northerly wind, alpine high -5 C, freezing level 1100 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was reported in the last few days.

Snowpack Summary

Wind switching directions has redistributed recent new snow onto a variety of aspects. As high as 2000 m, the upper snowpack contains a series of crusts from recent warming and rain events.

A layer of surface hoar is buried 100-150 cm below the surface in sheltered areas around treeline but has not been associated with avalanche activity recently. Weak facet/crust layers near the base of the snowpack are particularly noteworthy in the western Boundary area.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Watch your sluff: it may run faster and further than you expect.

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.