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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 3rd, 2024–Feb 4th, 2024

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

Regions

Kootenay Pass, Ymir, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Kokanee, Retallack.

New snow may not bond well to the crust below, watch for reactivity on steep slopes and near ridgelines.

Highest storm totals are expected in the Southern Purcells

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

We expect slab avalanche activity to increase on Sunday with cooler temperatures and fresh snowfall.

Snowpack Summary

Storm totals are expected to reach 10-20 cm by Sunday afternoon. This snow accumulates over a crust at most elevations where it may not bond well. Below 1500 m surface snow may remain moist or wet.

A layer of facets (and small surface hoar in some areas) is buried 30-60 cm deep and a layer of facets on a crust is buried 80-100 cm deep. While cooler temperatures have allowed these layers to strengthen we continue to monitor them for signs of reactivity.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with 5-15 cm of snow expected overnight. Freezing levels remain around 1500 m, with treeline temperatures around -2 °C. 10-30 km/hr easterly winds.

Sunday

Snowfall tapers off during the day, with another 5 cm possible in the Selkirks, trace amounts for the Southern Purcells. Freezing levels reach 1500 m again. Treeline temperatures around -3 °C. Southeast winds, 10-20 km/h.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with possible flurries. Freezing levels reach 1200 m over the day. Treeline temperatures around -5 °C. Southeast winds 20-40 km/h.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with light snowfall, 5-15 cm. Freezing levels rise to 1500 m, treeline temperatures around -3 °C. Light to moderate southwest winds, 20-30 km/h.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.

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.