Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Feb 3 – 4, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Forecast strong west winds and light snowfall may create fresh and reactive windslabs in lee terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    A mixed bag of weak interfaces is buried about 40 cm down. The nature of these weaknesses may vary considerably from slope to slope.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Overnight Sunday and Monday: Light snowfall becoming very light on Monday / Strong northwest winds becoming moderate and westerly on Monday / Alpine temperature of -5.0Tuesday: Light snowfall / Strong southwest winds / Alpine temperature of -4.0 Wednesday: Light snowfall / Light southwest winds /  Alpine temperature of -8.0

Avalanche Summary

Numerous solar induced point releases to size 1.5 were reported running on steep, south-facing terrain. These occurred in response to warming on Saturday. A few size 1 slabs have also been reported running on the January 23rd interface. They ran 30cm deep between 1800m and 1900m on east facing terrain.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface is a combination of hard and soft wind slabs in exposed areas, settled storm snow in more sheltered terrain, and a crust or moist snow on solar aspects. About 30-40cm below the surface, an interface of surface hoar, facets or sun crust buried on Jan 23 continues to be a concern among professionals in the region. The snowpack below this is generally well bonded.

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