Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Feb 21 – 22, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

A bit of snow, some wind and a rise in temperature may increase the likelihood of avalanche activity.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    The wind is expected to pick up over the next few days redistributing surface snow into alpine and treeline lee terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    A layer of surface hoar buried 20 to 60 cm has been reactive where a cohesive slab sits above it.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday several small (size 1 to 1.5) natural and human triggered dry loose avalanches were reported running in steep terrain.

Expect wind slab and persistent slab avalanche activity to increase as snow starts to accumulate and the temperature rises on the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20 cm of snow sits on a layer of surface hoar from the middle of February, or a thin sun crust on steep south-facing slopes.

Below that, 20 to 60 cm of faceted snow overlies a layer of surface hoar buried in late January. It has been most reactive where a slab has formed above this layer. You can read more about slabs in this blog.

The lower snowpack is generally well settled.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 2 to 4 cm of snow. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of snow. 30 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

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