Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Mar 22 – 23, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The avalanche danger will gradually increase through the end of the week into the weekend as forecast precipitation amounts begin to accumulate

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    At upper elevations where the recent rain crust is not as thick and strong, there is still potential to trigger deeper buried weak layers.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    As the freezing level rises and/or the sun comes out the surface snow will become increasingly wet or moist and may begin to sluff from steep terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY:  Mix of sun and cloud / Light south wind / Alpine temperature -4 / Freezing level 1300mFRIDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5-10cm / Moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 1300mSATURDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5-10cm / Moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -4 / Freezing level 1400m

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Tuesday indicate snowballing and loose snow avalanches to size 1 from steep terrain on all aspects from tree line and below.

Snowpack Summary

Last weekend rain soaked the upper snowpack for a second time in a week all the way to mountain tops. Subsequent cooling temperatures then formed a 10-30cm rain crust. In many parts of the region above the 1500m there may now be 10-15cm of new snow sitting on top of the crust. Below the crust expect to see moist or wet snow. The late-February facet / surface hoar interface (70-120 cm deep), the mid-February crust (90-130 cm deep), and basal facets in shallow snowpack areas may still be present at upper elevations and may still be reactive and become a concern as surface crusts break down with daytime warming.

Regions covered