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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 10th, 2019–Jan 11th, 2019

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Recent snow and wind have developed slabs. The deepest and most reactive deposits of snow will be found in wind-loaded terrain.

Confidence

Low - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with scattered flurries, trace to 5 cm snow. Light south-southwest wind. Freezing level 1400 m.FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy, no precipitation. Light south-southwest wind. Freezing level 1500 m.SATURDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods. Light south wind. Freezing level rising above 2000 m, chance of inversion.SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Light southwest wind. Freezing level 1800 m, chance of inversion.More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, explosives triggered storm slab avalanches to size 2. Around the region, up to 25 cm new storm snow was reacting to skier traffic. Near Red Mountain a backcountry skier was caught in a avalanche, a storm slab is suspected to have been triggered.On Wednesday, natural avalanches to size 2 were reported around the Whitewater area. Through the day, explosives triggered storm slab avalanches to size 2 and ski cuts triggered storm slab avalanches to size 1.5. Several small wind slabs were triggered by people on Monday on north to north-east aspects near treeline. On Sunday, several explosives-triggered avalanches to size 2 were reported in the region at or near treeline on all aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Around 20-40 cm recent snow around the region falling with moderate to strong winds and increasing temperatures have created variable storm slabs and wind slabs. Approximately 60 cm snow has accumulated since Dec 31. Wind slabs were observed at all elevations on Monday and may be hidden under the most recent snowfall. Isolated layers of surface hoar and or crusts may be found in the upper snowpack. A weak layer buried early December is down 60-120 cm in the alpine and treeline elevations. It consists of a rain crust, surface hoar, and facets (sugary snow). Professionals are continuing to monitor this interface and although the likelihood of triggering has gone down, if triggered this weak layer has the potential to produce large avalanches. This layer is most likely to be triggered from thin, rocky areas with a variable snowpack or with a large load, like cornice fall.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.