Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 28th, 2018 4:39PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada mbender, Avalanche Canada

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Kootenay Boundary.

The latest storm to impact the interior is predicted to produce light to moderate amounts of precipitation. A conservative approach to terrain selection continues to be the best way to manage a persistent slab problem. Click here for more info.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Flurries, accumulation 5-10 cm / light to moderate south west wind / Alpine temperature -10 CSATURDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5-10 cm / Moderate to strong southwest wind / Alpine temperature -4 C / freezing level 1400mSUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks and isolated flurries / Light to moderate northwest wind / Alpine temperature -9 C / Freezing level 500 mMONDAY: Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks / Light northwest wind / Alpine temperature -11 C

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in past few days.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 to 15 cm of snow sits on a thin sun crust on southerly aspects and small feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas.Beneath this, around 50 to 100 cm of snow is poorly bonded to a rain crust and a weak layer of feathery surface hoar and sugary facets. Although there has not been a reported avalanche on this layer for about a week, snowpack test results tell us that it is still possible to trigger. It is best to remain conservative and travel cautiously with this layer in the snowpack.The lower snowpack is well-settled.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
A weak layer buried around 50 to 100 cm is still the main concern. Although avalanche activity has been quiet for the past week, the widespread nature of the layer and snowpack test results suggest that it is still a layer to be concerned about.
Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.Choose low-angle terrain without overhead exposure and watch for clues of instability.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 29th, 2018 2:00PM

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