Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Jan 15 – 16, 2012Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Continued small amounts of precipitation and westerly winds have promoted new windslab formation.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–5
    Weak surface hoar is primarily a concern on big unsupported sheltered glades on east through north aspects. Basal depth hoar and facets are a concern on slopes with shallow and variable snowpack depths, especially near ridges and summits.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

MONDAY: Light precipitation with gradually cooling temperatures to -13 degrees celsius. Winds light from the west and southwest. TUESDAY: Light flurries and continued colder temperatures. Light to moderate westerly winds. WEDNESDAY: The northern edge of a frontal system over Washington state bringing light to moderate precipitation to the region. Light westerly winds.

Avalanche Summary

Recent reports indicate loose snow avalanches to size 1 triggering easily in steep unsupported terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Continued small amounts of snow has maintained fresh wind slab development and cornice growth. This latest new snow has buried a some previously facetted surface snow and small surface hoar in sheltered areas at and below treeline. A thin melt/freeze crust can be found in the upper snowpack as high as 1900m, and some areas are reporting surface hoar buried early-January now down 10-30cm. The late-December interface is now down 30-60cm and producing moderate to hard resistant snowpack test results. The mid-December surface hoar/facet persistent weakness, down 40-100cm, is generally producing anywhere from easy results where it's shallow to hard results where it's deeper. Basal facets remain concern in shallow snowpack areas especially with heavy triggers in thin spots, and weaknesses in the slab above create the potential for step-down avalanches.

Regions covered