Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 31st, 2018–Jan 1st, 2019

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Kootenay Boundary.

Winds switching from southwest to northwest have created wind slabs on a variety of aspects in the past few days.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light west wind / Alpine temperature -5 C possible temperature inversionWEDNESDAY: Isolated flurries / Light southwest wind / Alpine temperature -5 C / Freezing level 500 mTHURSDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5-10 cm / Moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -3 C / Freezing level 1000 m

Avalanche Summary

Most recent reports from the weekend indicate widespread thin storm slab avalanche activity size 1-1.5 that were 15cm deep with a some avalanches running to size 2 where thicker wind deposits existed (up to 40 cm). These were reported as explosives triggered, naturally triggered and some skier controlled.

Snowpack Summary

20-40 cm of snow sits on a thin sun crust on southerly aspects and small feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas.Beneath this, around 50 to 100 cm of snow sits on a rain crust and a weak layer of feathery surface hoar and sugary facets. Although there has not been a reported avalanche on this layer in over a week, snowpack test results tell us that it is still possible to trigger. The lower snowpack is well-settled.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate southwest winds during the last storm switching to northwest have created wind slabs on a variety of aspects.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Keep an eye out for wind slabs in places you don't always see them due to reverse loading.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2