Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Mar 23 – 24, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Give cornices a respectful berth.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Large cornices are threatening many slopes.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    3–6
    While becoming unlikely, a persistent slab could still fail with a large trigger like a cornice fall, or from a thin snowpack area.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    New snow and wind are likely to create storm slabs which could be triggered by the weight of a person.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

A frontal system is expected to bring around 10-15 cm snow on Wednesday night, with moderate to strong SW winds and the freezing level around 1500 m. Snow showers linger on Thursday before a ridge brings mixed sun and cloud on Friday and Saturday.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were reported on Tuesday. A few small storm slabs were triggered by explosives and a skier on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are large and looming in some areas. Recently formed melt freeze/ sun crusts may now be buried by storm snow. Recent warm temperatures have generally helped promote bonding. Several crusts are buried in the upper snowpack, some of which have broken down on sunny aspects. The late February persistent weak layer down 70 to 120 cm remains a lingering concern. Test results are variable, with occasional sudden planar (pop) results. This interface may remain more reactive on northerly (shaded) aspects above about 1700 m, where buried surface hoar has the best chance of preservation. On sunny aspects, this interface may be a crust/ facet layer. It is most likely to be triggered by a cornice fall or from a thin snowpack area.

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