Avalanche Forecast
Kootenay Boundary
Welcome to winter! It's that time of year when winter is slowly winding up and observations are limited. Due to limited data it is CRITICAL to supplement this information with your own observations. Please post your observations to the MIN.
Avalanche Problem 1: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use increased caution in areas which did not form a surface crust.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, numerous naturally triggered loose wet avalanches up to size 2 were reported at all elevations and aspects. Some of these avalanches may have been wet slabs but this was not confirmed due to poor visibility. We currently have very limited observations in this region. Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
The depth of the snowpack varies greatly with elevation. Recent reports suggest the average depth is 100+cm in the alpine, 50-100cm at treeline, and decreasing rapidly below treeline where the primary hazards are rocks, stumps, and open creeks. Recent heavy rain to the mountaintops has rapidly shrunk the snowpack and has transitioned much of the snowpack from dry to moist snow. The major feature in the snowpack is a crust which was formed at the end of October can be found approximately 30cm above the ground. However, freezing levels are forecasted to drop dramatically by Friday morning which will likely create a strong crust at most elevations and decrease the likelihood of triggering avalanches on the October crust. We currently have very limited snowpack observations within this region and it is critical to supplement this information with your own observations.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, light southwesterly ridgetop winds, freezing levels around 1500m. SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy, light southerly ridgetop winds, freezing levels around 1500m. SUNDAY: 5-15cm new snow throughout the day, strong to extreme southerly ridgetop winds, freezing levels rising to around 2500m.
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Forecast Disclaimer
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Recent rain to mountaintops combined with overnight cooling Thursday night will reduce the likelihood of triggering this layer. Areas in which the snowpack above this layer remained dry should be treated with increased caution.