Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Feb 2 – 3, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Be alert for wind slabs behind terrain breaks such as ridges and ribs.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    A mixed bag of weak interfaces is buried about 40 cm down. The nature of these weaknesses may vary considerably from slope to slope.

Confidence

Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions

Weather Forecast

Sunday: Very light snowfall occurring late in the day / Moderate to strong northwest winds / Alpine temperature of -1.0Monday: Very light snowfall / Moderate to strong northwest winds / Alpine temperature of -5.0Tuesday: Light snowfall / Light southwest winds / Alpine temperature of -7.0

Avalanche Summary

I would suspect some solar-induced loose wet avalanche activity in response to warming and strong solar input on Saturday. Human-triggered slabs (size 1 to 1.5) have also been failing on the Jan 23 interface. In many cases, these events have been on wind-loaded aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Recent NW winds have redistributed 15-40 cm of recent snow into soft or hard slabs on lee slopes in the alpine and at treeline. A weak interface of surface hoar, facets or sun crust buried on Jan 23 continues to be a concern among professionals in the region. Deeper, about 50-60cm down, a weak interface buried in early January has still shown moderate to hard, sudden results in snowpack tests. The snowpack below this is generally well bonded.

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