Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Feb 27 – 28, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Small wind slaps in steep or exposed terrain could have severe consequence.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Wind slabs will likely be small but could be consequential in exposed terrain with fall hazard.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Avoid cornice threatened slopes if sun comes out.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–4
    This is still a layer to keep in mind, as an avalanche on this layer could be large and destructive.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Unsettled weather on Sunday with flurries amounting to 5-10cm. Ridgetop winds spike Sunday afternoon with strong southwesterlies, then die down for remainder of period. Freezing levels should remain under 1600m.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday numerous natural loose wet avalanches to size 2 were reported on steep solar aspects in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Sunday's snow will bury the widespread surface hoar being reported up to 20mm in size on shady aspects at all elevations throughout the region. The strong winds associated with Sunday's storm will build fresh wind slabs on lee features in alpine. Cornices are large and looming. The mid February layer is down 70-100cm and is the primary layer of concern. This layer is a crust and generally well bonded to the overlying persistent slab. However, in isolated areas on northerly aspects between 1800-2100m the layer is surface hoar which means there are still a few "land mines" out there that if triggered could produce large destructive avalanches.

Regions covered