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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 10th, 2023–Feb 11th, 2023

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

Regions

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

Pay attention to the direction of the wind as you travel through wind exposed areas – wind slabs are the main concern.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednedasy there was a report of a size 2-2.5 wind slab avalanche at 2100m which started just below ridgetop. As well there were a few explosives controlled avalanches size 1.5-2 on northerly aspects at 2000-2100m approximately.

This MIN on Wednesday outlines a size 1-1.5 skier triggered avalanche where a storm slab ran on a crust.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm of new snow from earlier in the week has been redistributed by southwest winds and sits on top of previously formed wind slabs in exposed terrain.

In terrain sheltered from the wind, small surface hoar crystals may be found 50-90 cm from the surface. At a similar depth, you may also find a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes and below 1900 m.

Deeper weak layers in the snowpack have not recently produced avalanches, but they may become reactive again if there is a rapid change in the weather.

The lower snowpack contains weak and faceted grains.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mainly cloudy with clear periods. Moderate west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -6 ºC.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy with sunny periods. Light to moderate west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -4 ºC. Freezing level rising to 1300m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. Light to moderate west and southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -4 °C. Freezing level around 1200m.

Monday

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • 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.