Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 22nd, 2013 7:38AM

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

esharp, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

This forecast is based on limited field data. Feel free to send any observations to forecaster@avalanche.ca.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number and quality of field observations on Friday

Weather Forecast

A high pressure system is forecast to persist through the weekend bringing dry conditions. A weak inversion could cause temperatures to approach zero degrees in the high alpine.Saturday: Light winds from the NW. Clear skies. High of -4C at 1500mSunday: Light winds from the NW. Becoming cloudy. High of -4C at 1500mMonday: Light winds from the NW. Cloudy skies. High of -3C at 1500m

Avalanche Summary

Explosive avalanche control earlier on Tuesday, November 19th produced storm snow slab avalanches up to size 2 in the Southern Selkirks.

Snowpack Summary

Reports from Kootenay Pass suggest that about 100cm of snow can be found at treeline in the area. Observations are limited and this amount may vary dramatically across the region.The storm earlier this week deposited 30cm of new snow in the alpine. Roughly 60 to 70cm of snow is now sitting on a widespread crust from early October.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Expect wind slabs to be lingering on lee features in the alpine. Triggering a wind loaded feature might be enough load to cause a large avalanche on the deeper rain crust

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Be careful with wind loaded pockets >

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

Reports indicate that there is a crust down 70cm at and above tree line. Where the crust is smooth or is overlayed by facets this layer might be able to produce avalanche up to size 2 to 3.

Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.>Caution around convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Nov 23rd, 2013 2:00PM