Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 2nd, 2019 4:24PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

mbender, Avalanche Canada

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.

Summary

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.

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

Valid until: Feb 3rd, 2019 2:00PM