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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 1st, 2023–Mar 2nd, 2023

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

Keep an eye on the wind and new snow amounts. New snow and wind will likely build rider triggerable slabs throughout the day, be prepared to back off steep slopes as the hazard increases.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Rider triggered storm slabs continue to be reported in the region. Most avalanche activity has occurred on north and east aspects at treeline and above.

We suspect that new rider triggerable storm slabs will form throughout the day on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Storm totals average 30-50 cm of low density snow. Expect deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes, from southwest winds. In steep and sheltered terrain the low density snow has minimal slab quality and reacts as loose dry sluffing. Storm snow sits over heavily wind affected surfaces at all elevations and so far has not bonded well.

A layer of surface hoar can be found on shaded slopes, and a sun crust on sun affected slopes buried 30-70 cm deep. This interface has been noted as a failure plane for some avalanche activity.

Otherwise, the snowpack is generally well consolidated and bonding. The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. These facets are slowly gaining strength and have not produced recent avalanche activity. We continue to track the layer and watch for any signs that it could wake up and produce very large avalanches.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with up to 5cm of new snow expected. Moderate westerly winds and a low of -10 °C at 1800 m.

Thursday

Stormy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong southwest winds and a High of -5°C at 1800 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with a few centimeters of new snow expected. Light to moderate southwest winds and a high of -7°C at 1800 m.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility flurries bringing up to 5cm of new snow. Light southerly winds and a high of -5°C at 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.

Problems

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.