Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 2nd, 2019–Feb 3rd, 2019

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kootenay Boundary.

Recent new snow will take a few days to settle and bond. The temperature is forecast to drop as cold air comes in from the north.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY Night: Mainly cloudy, light southwest wind, alpine temperature -12 C.SUNDAY: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, light east wind, alpine temperature -13 C.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light east wind, alpine temperature -19 C.TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light east wind, alpine temperature -12 C.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Saturday include several natural size 1.5-2 storm slab avalanches and explosives triggered size 2-2.5 storm slab avalanches on southerly and northerly aspects up to 2200m.

Snowpack Summary

10-30 cm of new snow sits on variety of snow surfaces, which may include wind crust in wind exposed areas, sun crust on solar aspects to mountain top and weak feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shady areas. 40-60 cm below the snow surface, expect to find another crust on south aspects and another layer of feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded areas. This deeper layer of surface hoar may be most reactive at treeline elevations on shady aspects. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most locations.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

New snow arrived with moderate to strong southwesterly wind on Friday. Deepest deposits will be found in alpine and tree line lee terrain.

Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.Stay alert to changing conditions with elevation.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

40-60 cm of snow sits above crusts and a weak layer of surface hoar. The surface hoar is likely most pronounced in shaded and sheltered areas at treeline.

If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Caution around convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2