Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 28th, 2014 7:35AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Check out the Tricky Holiday Conditions blog post for more details on the current avalanche scenario.

Summary

Confidence

Good - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

A dry arctic ridge will dominate the region for the forecast period. Skies will be mainly clear for the period with ridge top temperatures hovering at about -20, and moderate northeasterly winds.

Avalanche Summary

We continue to get reports of skier-triggered, and remotely triggered slab avalanches. Avalanche activity has mostly been in the size 2 range, failing on the mid-December layers. This pattern is expected to persist for the foreseeable future.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25cm of low density snow fell over the last few days. This new snow, which overlies recently formed surface hoar, may have been shifted into fresh wind slabs in high elevation terrain.Â Up to 70 cm of snow from last week has consolidated into a slab above a touchy weak layer of surface hoar sitting on a thick rain crust. This widespread persistent layer continues to produce whumpfing and sudden snowpack tests, and will likely remain sensitive to human triggering for the foreseeable future. Although high elevation slopes may not have the rain crust, they are still reported to have touchy buried surface hoar. At the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet combo appears to have gone dormant for the time being.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

A persistent weak layer, buried up to 70cm below the surface, was responsible for a few close calls over the past week. Conservative terrain selection remains critical.

Use conservative route selection, stick to moderate angled terrain with low consequence and be aware of what is above you at all times as remote triggering is a concern.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Wind Slabs

Light to moderate amounts of new snow fell on Saturday. Moderate winds may shift these accumulations into new wind slabs on exposed lee slopes. Watch for loose dry avalanches in steep, sheltered terrain.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 29th, 2014 2:00PM