Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Jan 10 – 11, 2015Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Continue making conservative terrain choices this weekend and be wary of any slope that did not slide during the last storm.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–5
    A buried persistent weak layer (down 80-100 cm) has been responsible for numerous large natural and rider triggered avalanches this week. Triggering remains a concern with the potential for creating large high-consequence slides.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–5
    Warm temperatures followed by cooling this weekend could help stabilize this problem, particularly if there is no surface crust. Also, watch for thin wind slabs to develop in exposed lee terrain.

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

Only trace amounts of snow are expected throughout the forecast period. Overcast conditions are forecast for Sunday, although skies should become increasingly clear on Monday and Tuesday as a dry ridge of high pressure becomes the dominant air mass. Ridgetop winds should remain generally light, while freezing levels will remain at valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

Further evidence of the widespread and large natural avalanche cycle was reported on Thursday. Avalanches up to size 3 were reported from all aspects at all elevations. Conditions remained touchy to skier triggered on Thursday, particularly around Rossland. There is an interesting report from Mount Kirkup (west of Rossland) where an experienced observer describes this as one of the most active avalanche periods they have seen in the region. They remotely triggered one slab from 20 degree terrain and observed other naturals occurring on relatively low angle slopes.

Snowpack Summary

The current snow surface consists of a melt-freeze crust with surface hoar on top in sheltered areas. This crust is reported on aspects to ridge top in some areas and below 1800 m in others. Fresh wind slabs are likely in exposed alpine and treeline terrain. The main snowpack concern is a buried surface hoar layer (down 80-100 cm), which is sitting on a rain crust in some places. This widespread persistent weakness exists at all elevation bands and remains a concern for triggering. At the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet combo appears to have gone dormant for the time being.

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