Avalanche Forecast
Kootenay Boundary
Don't be fooled by the Moderate danger ratings. Buried weak layers still exist and may surprise in isolated terrain with nasty consequences.
Avalanche Problem 1: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
- Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- Watch for stiff or hollow feeling snow, whumpfing, or shooting cracks.
Avalanche Problem 2: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Variable winds have created wind slabs on most aspects in the alpine and exposed treeline areas. Although these slabs have gained some strength, they have the potential for human triggering, and may step down to the December 15th layer.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Watch for whumpfing, stiff or hollow feeling snow, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported. As new snow accumulates over the next few days, storm slabs should be on your radar. More importantly, the December 15th interface will become deeper and the overlying slab will likely settle and gain cohesion increasing the likelihood and destructive potential of this buried persistent weak layer.
Snowpack Summary
Last week's storm snow has now settled into a 30-80 cm soft slab. This slab overlies the December 15th interface which consists of a melt-freeze crust on steep, solar, higher elevation slopes and well-developed surface hoar everywhere else which seems most pronounced in sheltered treeline terrain and below. The bond at this variable interface is of critical importance, especially in areas where the overlying slab is deep and well-consolidated.
The late November crust is now buried 60-100 cm and has been producing hard, resistant results in recent snowpack tests. Beneath this crust the lower snowpack is strong and well-settled.
Weather Forecast
Wednesday: 3-5cm of new snow / Moderate westerly winds / Alpine temperature of about -15
Thursday: 3-5cm of new snow / Light southerly winds / Alpine temperature of about -8
Friday: 5-15cm of new snow / Light southerly winds / Alpine temperature of about -7
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A well-developed layer of surface hoar is buried up to 80cm below the surface. These slabs may be easily triggered on steep or convex slopes and in sheltered areas at and below treeline.