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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 8th, 2024–Mar 9th, 2024

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, Ymir, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Kokanee, Valhalla.

Keep decision making conservative as weak layers remain a concern.

Choose smaller, low angle slopes free from overhead hazard.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Explosive control work continued on Thursday, producing numerous avalanches up to size 4 (very large). While natural activity appears to have tapered off now, human triggering is still a concern.

A notable size 3.5 avalanche was remote-triggered from a ridgeline in the Bonningtons on Tuesday, see the photo below.

And check out this photo blog of recent avalanches throughout the province.

Snowpack Summary

Surface conditions include settling storm snow, sun crusts on south facing slopes, and lightly wind-affected snow at higher elevations.

A widespread crust is buried 100-150 cm deep with a layer of weak facets above (and/or surface hoar in isolated sheltered terrain). This continues to be the layer of concern throughout this region, as it continues to produce very large avalanches throughout this region.

The snow below the crust is generally strong and well bonded.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Partly cloudy. 10-30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level drops to valley bottom.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow in the afternoon for the Monashees and Selkirks and a mix of sun and cloud in the Purcells. 30-50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels rise to 1600 m, with treeline temperatures around -2 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20-40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing levels rise to 1500 m, with treeline temperatures around -3 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with 5 cm of snow. 20-30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels rise to 1500 m, with treeline temperatures around -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

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.