Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Feb 1 – 2, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Saturday’s danger ratings are based on intense sunshine and warming affecting the upper snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Be alert for wind slabs behind terrain breaks such as ridges and ribs.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    A mixed bag of weak interfaces is buried about 40 cm down. As temperatures rise, the likelihood of triggering a persistent slab may increase.

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

Saturday: Light W winds. Alpine temperature near +3. Sunny skies, with valley cloud. No snow.Sunday: Moderate SW wind. Alpine temperature near -4. Light snow is possible.Monday: Light SW wind. Alpine temperature near -5. Light snow.

Avalanche Summary

Size 1 to 2 loose dry avalanches have been failing with natural and human triggers in steep terrain. Human-triggered slabs (size 1 to 2) have also been failing on the Jan 23 interface. In many cases, these events have been on wind-loaded aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Recent NW winds have redistributed 15-40 cm of recent snow into soft or hard slabs on lee slopes in the alpine and at treeline. A weak interface buried on Jan 23 seems to be becoming more reactive as the slab above settles and becomes more cohesive. Deeper, about 50-60cm down, a weak interface buried in early January exhibits moderate to hard, sudden results in snowpack tests. The snowpack below this is generally well bonded. Forecast warming may increase the likelihood of triggering a persistent slab.

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