Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 6th, 2021–Dec 7th, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Avalanche danger will gradually increase in wind-affected terrain this week.

Confidence

High - The snowpack structure is mostly striaghtforward and not unusually variable.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, no precipitation, light wind from the northwest, treeline temperatures around -12 C.

TUESDAY: Increasing cloud throughout the day, no precipitation, light to moderate wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures warm to -8 C.

WEDNESDAY: Flurries bring 5-15 cm of low density snow, moderate wind from the west, treeline temperatures around -10 C.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy skies, no precipitation, light wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures around -8 C.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were reported over the weekend, except for one explosive triggered storm slab involving recent snow above the crust.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm low density snow is poorly bonded to a widespread and supportive crust. Fun pockets of powder may be found in sheltered areas and depressions. The snowpack is generally well consolidated. At upper elevations a few crusts may be found in the lower snowpack, while at mid and lower elevations the entire snowpack was saturated and is now frozen and uniform.

Snowpack depths at treeline range from 50-110 cm, with alpine depths exceeding 120 cm in areas. Snowpack depths decrease rapidly below 1800 m.

Check out our latest Forecaster Blog here.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

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.