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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 7th, 2024–Feb 8th, 2024

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Lizard-Flathead, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir, Flathead, Lizard, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Kokanee, Retallack.

New snow continues to incrementally build over a crust. Keep an eye out for signs of instability, as you transition into open terrain in the alpine where wind slabs may linger.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

There were a few skier-triggered size 1 wind slab and dry loose avalanches reported from steep terrain on Tuesday. This MIN post is a great example of where the wind slab can still be triggered by riders.

Brief periods of sun, triggered natural and skier-controlled wet loose up to size 1.5 on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Roughly 20 to 30 cm of recent snow has been incrementally building over a crust at treeline and alpine elevations. Lower elevation surface snow is likely moist or wet depending on recent freezing levels.

A layer of facets (and small surface hoar in some areas) is buried 30-60 cm deep and a layer of facets sitting on a crust is buried 80-100 cm deep. While previous warming and subsequent cooling have likely helped to strengthen these layers, we will continue to monitor them for signs of reactivity.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mainly cloudy with 2 to 3 cm accumulation. Alpine wind northwest 5 to 10 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Thursday

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries 2 to 5 cm throughout the day, increasing to flurries with 5 to 10 cm possible. Alpine wind northwest 10 to 15 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with continued scattered flurries 2 to 4 cm. Alpine wind is variable, generally northerly, 20 to 25 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday

Clear with cloudy periods. Alpine wind west 15 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -9 °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.

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.