Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 24th, 2019 4:33PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Persistent Slabs.

kdevine, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Rising temperatures could mean that avalanche hazard increases throughout the day. Choose more conservative terrain if significant warming is experienced, especially at lower elevations where a surface hoar layer could catch people by surprise.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy / northwest winds, 20-30 km/h / alpine low temperature near -5FRIDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods / northwest winds, 30-50 km/h / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 1500 m / alpine temperature inversionSATURDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods / northwest winds, 20-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near +5 / freezing level 3000 m / alpine temperature inversionSUNDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / northwest winds, 60-80 km/h / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 1500 m

Avalanche Summary

Several natural and explosives triggered storm slab avalanches to size 2 were reported on northerly aspects on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

30-50 cm of recent snow has fallen in the region. This snow sits on surface hoar (feathery crystals) in shaded areas that are sheltered from the wind, thin rain crusts in some areas, and sun crusts on south facing slopes. The surface hoar is most prominent at treeline and below. Recent snowpack tests suggest that the snow may be poorly bonded to these layers in some areas. Another prominent weak layer in the snowpack is a layer that formed in early December and is buried approximately 70-110 cm. This layer consists of a rain crust, surface hoar, and facets (sugary snow). There have been no recent reports of avalanches on this layer, however a large load, such as a cornice fall may still have the potential to trigger large avalanches on this layer.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

30-50 cm of recent snow sits on surface hoar (feathery crystals), thin rain crusts and sun crust on south facing slopes. The surface hoar is most prominent at lower elevations. Slabs may become more reactive throughout the day as temperatures rise.

Use caution in steep terrain at treeline and below such as cut banks, cut blocks and open glades.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 25th, 2019 2:00PM