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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 4th, 2024–Feb 5th, 2024

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.
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.

Recent new snow coupled with east and southeast wind, is causing wind slab development in alpine and treeline terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There are no new avalanches to report. Expect to see wind slab activity increase in the coming days as the recent new snow gets redistributed into exposed lee terrain.

Snowpack Summary

10 - 20 cm of new snow has accumulated over a crust at most elevations. Below 1500 m surface snow is likely 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 sitting on a crust is buried 80-100 cm deep. While cooler temperatures have likely helped to strengthen these layers, we will continue to monitor them for signs of reactivity.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1-2 cm. Wind southeast 10-25 km/h. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Monday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1-2 cm. Wind southeast and southwest 15-35 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Tuesday

Mainly cloudy with 3-5 cm of snow. Wind southwest 15-30 km/h. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Wednesday

Mainly cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow. Wind southwest 15-30 km/h. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

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.