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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 14th, 2023–Mar 15th, 2023

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir, Moyie.

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.

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.

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.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.