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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 19th, 2023–Feb 20th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir, Moyie.

Continually assess the snowpack for changing conditions, with significant wind and snow forecast Monday and Tuesday. Seek out sheltered terrain to avoid the problem and for better riding opportunities in softer snow.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 wind slab was remotely triggered in the Russle Creek area on Saturday. We suspect the wind slab was overlaying a thin melt-freeze crust. It occurred near ridgetop at 2350 m on a west aspect.

A number of loose dry avalanches in steep terrain have been reported over the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

New snow over the weekend has buried a variety of snow surfaces that consists of any of the following: a layer of large surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, wind slabs or wind-pressed snow in exposed terrain, and sun crusts on steep solar aspects. A slightly older layer of large surface hoar may be found down another 20-30 cm below the old snow surface.

The middle of the snowpack is generally well consolidated and stiff but does contain some old persistent weak layers. These layers have not produced avalanches in quite a long time and are not currently a concern unlike neighboring regions to the north, but could wake up with significant storm loading or warming.

The lower snowpack consists of a layer of weak, sugary crystals that is slowly gaining strength and doesn't currently appear to present the same problem as neighboring regions to the north and east. However, we continue to track the layer and watch for any signs that it might wake up and produce very large avalanches.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Cloudy with trace amounts of snow. Moderate to strong westerly alpine winds. Treeline temperatures 0 to -5 C.

Monday

Cloudy with light snow, increasing by the end of the day, 5 to 10 cm. moderate westerly alpine winds. Treeline temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing levels 1500 m.

Tuesday

Heavy snow staring Monday night, continuing through the day, 20 to 40 cm by end of the day. Moderate to strong southwest alpine winds. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with sunny periods, trace snow amounts. Moderate easterly alpine winds. Treeline temperature -10 to -15 C

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.