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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 3rd, 2020–Feb 4th, 2020

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Wind slabs at upper elevations are the main concern. Avalanches are unlikely where a thick supportive crust caps the upper snowpack.

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. Light northwest wind. Alpine high -9 C.

Tuesday: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Light northwest wind. Alpine high -8 C.

Wednesday: Flurries, accumulation 5 cm. Moderate to strong west wind. Alpine high -4 C. Freezing level 700 m.

Thursday: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Light to moderate west wind. Alpine high -3 C. Freezing level 800 m.

Avalanche Summary

Small loose dry avalanches running on rain crust were been observed in wind sheltered areas on Sunday. On Friday and Saturday, a widespread storm slab avalanche cycle was observed size 2-2.5 on all aspects above 1600 m. 

Reports of deep persistent avalanches had been periodically coming in over the past few weeks, primarily from the western Boundary area but most recently on Saturday near Nelson. These large, deep avalanches are generally triggered by very large loads (cornice falls or vehicles) in shallow, rocky snowpack areas.

Snowpack Summary

Strong southwest wind leading into last weekend has scoured windward aspects and formed loaded pockets in alpine lees. As high as 2000 m, the upper snowpack contains a series of crusts from recent warming and rain events.

A layer of surface hoar is buried 100-150 cm below the surface in sheltered areas around treeline but has not been associated with avalanche activity recently. Weak facet/crust layers near the base of the snowpack are particularly noteworthy in the western Boundary area.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.

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.