Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 26th, 2014 7:57AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

As danger approaches LOW across the board, it's a good time to remind ourselves that low danger doesn't mean no danger. Food for thought on this blog post.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Monday: Mainly clear skies with valley cloud / Light northerly winds / Freezing level at 1100mTuesday: Clear skies / Light westerly winds / Temperature inversion is expected with alpine temperatures hovering around 0.0Wednesday: Light snowfall / Light west winds / Freezing level at 1100m

Avalanche Summary

With recent warm alpine temperatures natural avalanches to size 2.5 were reported on steep solar aspects. In at least 1 case, avalanche activity occurred as a wet slab and ran to ground.

Snowpack Summary

A dusting of snow overlies a variety of surfaces which include old, stubborn wind slabs in exposed upper elevation terrain and well developed surface hoar in sheltered terrain. Surface hoar continues to grow at treeline and below while sun-exposed slopes are now sporting a melt-freeze crust. Ongoing moderate daytime temperatures have promoted settlement within the snowpack, while cool nights have allowed for significant surface faceting.Closer to the ground, below a generally strong and well settled mid pack, there are 2 layers of note: the late November surface hoar, and a crust/facet combo which formed in October. These layers have become unlikely to trigger (maybe a cornice fall, a heavy load over a thin spot in steep terrain, or a rapid temperature change). That said, avalanches at these interfaces would be large and destructive.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

With forecast cooling deep persistent slabs will become less likely. That said, some professionals in the north of the region are still leary of some slopes that did not recently avalanche. Watch for triggering in steep, rocky start zones.

Conditions are greatly improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Jan 27th, 2014 2:00PM