Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 13th, 2013–Feb 14th, 2013

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, 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.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Weather Forecast

No significant precipitation is expected as a ridge of high pressure affects the region for the next few days. Cold overnight temperatures with daytime Highs to -4 at 1500m. Winds will continue to come from the NW.

Avalanche Summary

One size 2 human triggered avalanche Monday in a steep rocky feature on an east aspect. Some sluffing observed in steep terrain Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

A generally well settled snowpack with up to 12 cm new snow deposited overnight Tuesday. Wind slab is the predominant stability concern right now. It may be resting on suncrust or surface hoar which was buried on Feb 4. The Jan 23 interface appears to be inactive but can still be found 40-60 cm below the surface. It may be worth investigating on an adjacent slope before riding in aggressive terrain.

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.