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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 5th, 2024–Mar 6th, 2024

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, Ymir, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Kokanee, Valhalla.

⚠️Dangerous avalanche conditions⚠️

Stick to low-angle terrain and be mindful of overhead hazard. Human-triggered and remote-triggered avalanches remain likely.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Natural, human, and remotely triggered avalanches have been reported throughout the region daily since early last week (many size 2 to 3 and some size 3.5). These avalanches failed on layers in the recent storm snow, the mid-February weak layer, and the early-February facet/crust layer.

This MIN report details a scary avalanche incident from Sunday west of Cranbrook that has similarities to numerous recent reports throughout the province.

Snowpack Summary

Low density storm snow is gradually settling. A prominent crust is found 100 to 150 cm below the surface, with several potential weak layers above it including facets, surface hoar and thin decomposing crusts. These layers continue to produce concerning avalanches across the region. The snow below the crust is generally strong and bonded.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Clear skies. 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Wednesday

Sunny. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Thursday

Sunny. 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud. 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low-angle, well-supported terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.