Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Jan 30 – 31, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Be alert for wind slabs behind terrain breaks such as ridges and ribs.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–4
    A mixed bag of weak interfaces is buried about 40 cm down. With forecast warming temperatures, it’s possible that the snow above will form into a more cohesive slab over the next few days.

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Moderate NW winds. Alpine temperature near -4. Light snow.Friday: Light W winds. Alpine temperature near -2. No snow.Saturday: Light W winds. Alpine temperature near 0. Sunny skies, with valley cloud.

Avalanche Summary

Size 1 to 2 loose dry avalanches have been failing with natural and human triggers in steep terrain. A few slabs to size 2 have also been observed, in some cases failing on a crust/facet interface below recent storm snow.

Snowpack Summary

NW winds have redistributed 15-40 cm of recent snow into soft or hard slabs on lee slopes in the alpine and at treeline. In areas not affected by the wind, loose snow is sluffing easily in steep terrain. The new snow sits on a variety of old surfaces including surface hoar, facets, hard slabs and crusts. Deeper, about 50-60cm down, a weak interface buried in early January exhibits moderate to hard, sudden results in snowpack tests. The snowpack below this is generally well bonded.

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