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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 7th, 2023–Feb 8th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir, Moyie, St. Mary.

There is uncertainty with snowfall amounts Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Regardless, new snow combined with wind will likely increase the likelihood of triggering storm and wind slabs in the alpine and treeline.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Riders and explosive avalanche control have recently caused several small (size 1 to 1.5) loose dry and wind slab avalanches within the recent storm snow. Most of these avalanches occurred around treeline, or at ridgetops.

On Saturday, West of Kimberly, a large (size 2) avalanche was reported that was remotely triggered by a rider from 50 m away. See the MIN report for more information.

Looking forward, fresh storm slabs may be reactive to the weight of a rider.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of new snow sits on top of previously formed wind slabs in exposed terrain.

In terrain sheltered from the wind, small surface hoar crystals may be found 30-60 cm from the surface. At a similar depth, you may also find a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes and below 1900 m.

Deeper weak layers in the snowpack have not recently produced avalanches, but they may become reactive again if there is a rapid change in the weather.

The lower snowpack contains weak and faceted grains.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy with 10-15cm of snow expected over most of the region. Moderate west or southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -3 °C. Freezing level around 1100 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with sunny breaks. Moderate northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -4 °C. Freezing level around 1000 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate south through west wind. Treeline temperatures around -8 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with flurries. 5-10cm of snow expected. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.