Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 19th, 2016 4:20PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Actual snow amounts and forecast snowfall amounts vary throughout the region. The danger ratings reflect the higher end of estimates combined with strong winds.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Flurries, accumulations 10-15cm / Moderate to strong southwest wind / Alpine temperature of -4Wednesday: Mainly cloudy / Moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -8Thursday: Snow Flurries, accumulations 5-10cm / Light to moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -6

Avalanche Summary

Expect an increase in avalanche activity with continued snowfall accumulating Monday night through into Tuesday combined with moderate to strong wind and warming temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

10-25cm of new snow has buried previously formed windslabs, facets and surface hoar. Moderate to strong winds have loaded leeward features with new touchy wind slabs. A widespread crust that was buried in November is typically down 80-100cm. Recent tests show variable results with this persistent weakness. Some show results as hard and resistant and other show it may have the propensity to propagate large avalanches if triggered from thin rocky areas.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Over 30cm of new snow has fallen in parts of the region combined with moderate to strong southwest winds have created slabs on top of a variety of potential weak sliding layers.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and/or wind.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 20th, 2016 2:00PM