Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Mar 24 – 25, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

When the weather clears, sun can destabilise cornices and recent storm snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Large fragile cornices threaten many slopes. A cornice fall could trigger a large avalanche on the slope below.

  • 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
    Size
    1–3
    Storm slabs may be triggered by the weight of a person. Be on the lookout in steep terrain, especially on wind-loaded features.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Snow showers linger on Friday before a ridge brings mixed sun and cloud for the weekend.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are large and looming in some areas. Recently formed melt freeze/ sun crusts are now buried by 10-15 cm storm snow. Several crusts are buried in the upper snowpack. 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. While becoming unlikely, it could be triggered by a cornice fall or from a thin snowpack area.

Regions covered