Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Mar 14 – 15, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

30-50 cm of recent snow, strong south winds, and rising freezing levels have formed reactive storm slabs at all elevations.

Make conservative terrain choices and use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    30-50 cm of recent snow, strong south winds, and rising freezing levels have formed reactive storm slabs at all elevations.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Expect natural wet loose avalanches on steep sunny aspects when the sun comes out.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Monday was an active day in the mountains.

Numerous natural and rider triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 2 on a variety of aspects at all elevations were reported throughout the region.

Snowpack Summary

30-50 cm of recent snow, strong south winds, and rising freezing levels have formed reactive storm slabs at all elevations.

The storm slabs overlie a variety of surfaces, which include surface hoar (3-5 mm) on shady slopes at all elevations, wind affected surfaces at treeline and above, and sun crust on sunny aspects.

A layer of surface hoar or sun crust (aspect dependent) that was formed in mid-February can be found down 80-110 cm.

The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary facets near the ground. These facets are slowly gaining strength and no recent avalanches have been reported on this layer. However, we continue to track the layer and watch for any signs of it becoming active.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear / 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind / Low temperature at treeline around -7 C / Freezing level valley bottom

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries; 0-5 cm / 20 km/h west ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline around -6 C / Freezing level 1300 m

Thursday

Sunny / 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline around -4 C / Freezing level 1600 m

Friday

Sunny / 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline around -3 C / Freezing level 1700 m

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

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