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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 9th, 2023–Feb 10th, 2023

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

Regions

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

Pay attention to the direction of the wind as you travel through wind exposed areas – there is a lot of snow available to build wind slabs.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednedasy there was a report of a size 2-2.5 wind slab avalanche at 2100m which started just below ridgetop. As well there were a few explosives controlled avalanches size 1.5-2 on northerly aspects at 2000-2100m approximately.

This MIN on Wednesday outlines a size 1-1.5 skier triggered avalanche where a storm slab ran on a crust.

On Tuesday there were a few reports of skier triggered storm slab avalanches to size 1 and 1.5. As well, there were explosives controlled avalanches to size 1.5 and 2.5 on southerly aspects between 1900 and 2100m.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm of new snow is being redistributed by southwest winds and sits on top of previously formed wind slabs in exposed terrain.

In terrain sheltered from the wind, small surface hoar crystals may be found 50-90 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

Thursday Night

Clear periods. Moderate south and southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -6 °C.

Friday

Mainly cloudy. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -4 ºC. Freezing level rising to 1200m.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks. Light to moderate northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -3 ºC. Freezing level rising to 1400m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -6 °C. Freezing level around 1000m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.