Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Mar 28 – 29, 2012Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

If the snowfall amounts are higher than forecast, expect HIGH danger.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–4
    The increased wind and new snow are forming windslabs in lee zones at ridgecrest. These overlie a slick melt freeze crust in most locations and surface hoar on North aspects. A small windslab event could step down to the deep, persistent weakness.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–7
    Cornices are very large and will grow under the current conditions. There is potential for triggering deep persistent slabs on underlying slopes.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–4
    The new snow is bonding poorly to the March 26 interface. At lower elevations, expect moist sluffing, while higher up (drier snow) the storm slab is more cohesive. A small storm slab event (or sluff) could step down to the deep weaknesses.

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Expect unsettled conditions, with flurries becoming heavy at times. 20cm are possible with winds turning westerly and becoming gusty. Freezing levels could reach 1600m. Friday / Saturday: Another stormy day with continuing westerly winds and a possible 10cm. Freezing levels may again reach 1500m. Expect a drying trend overnight, with Saturday being mixed sun and cloud.

Avalanche Summary

Natural, explosive and human triggered avalanches have been reported up to size 2.0, with all failures on the March 26 interface. At lower elevations (where the surface is moist) these are running as loose events and at higher elevations the new snow is propagating as a slab.

Snowpack Summary

Above 2000m, 20-40cm of new snow now overlies the March 26 interface. This has been accompanied by consistently moderate and at times gusty southwesterly winds forming windslabs in lee locations. Cornices loom, and will continue to grow with this weather pattern. The March 26 interface is a crust on all aspects except true north treeline and alpine, where small surface hoar (5mm) is present in sheltered places. At lower elevations, the surface snow has had less recovery and the upper snowpack is predominantly moist. The deep, persistent early February surface hoar lingers in the snowpack giving sudden results in testing. Concern remains with heavy triggers.

Regions covered