Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 31st, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wet Slabs and Loose Wet.

mbender, Avalanche Canada

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

We should see a gradual decrease in avalanche danger as cooling temperatures help to freeze and stabilize the snowpack.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

The natural avalanche cycle observed on the weekend and earlier in the week due to the warming event, has started to slow down. However there were still reports of several wet slab, persistent slab and wet loose avalanches to size 1-2.5 being reported Tuesday and Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Recent rain and warm temperatures have created a moist or wet upper snowpack at all elevations. A weak surface crust may have formed overnight at upper elevations. Expect this to break down quickly throughout the day.

The snowpack has two buried weak layers of concern. A layer of weak facets and surface hoar is buried 30 to 60 cm deep. There is a layer of weak facets sitting on a crust crust buried 80 to 100 cm deep. The warm temperature has made these layers more reactive.

Currently, the mid and lower snowpack is generally well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly overcast with isolated rain showers or snow flurries at uppermost elevations. Alpine wind southwest 20 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature 1 °C, freezing level 2500 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with isolated rain showers or snow snow flurries at uppermost elevations. Alpine wind south and southwest 15 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature 2 °C, freezing level 2100-2500 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with wet flurries, up to 5 cm accumulation. Alpine wind northwest 10 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing level 2000 m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with wet flurries, up to 5 mm accumulation. Alpine wind northwest 15 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -2 °C, freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.

Problems

Wet Slabs

Wet slab avalanches have been failing on or stepping down to buried weak layers in the mid and lower snowpack resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Wet loose avalanche activity can be expected from steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Feb 1st, 2024 4:00PM