Avalanche Forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Date issued

Dec 8, 2017 - 4:07 PM

Valid until

Dec 9, 2017 - 2:00 PM

Prepared by

mconlan

Warm alpine air is the continuing trend. Be cautious on steep slopes if the snow feels moist or wet.

Regular season
Friday - December 8, 2017
Alpine

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Below Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Saturday - December 9, 2017
Alpine

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Below Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Sunday - December 10, 2017
Alpine

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Below Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Wet

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

Warm air temperatures and clear skies have produced spring-like conditions on steep solar aspects. Loose wet avalanches may begin small but could step down to deeper crust layers.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Avoid sunny slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if the snow is moist or wet.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps, where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Loose wet avalanches may trigger deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Avalanche Summary

Small loose wet avalanches were observed on steep south-facing slopes on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Warm air temperatures and clear skies have caused melting of the surface snow on south-facing slopes. Crusts may form overnight but should melt quickly in the mornings. The warm weather has settled the snowpack and may be improving the bond to the 30-50 cm deep rain crust from late November, but there are still limited observations of this layer. Lingering wind slabs may exist at higher elevations but are trending towards being unreactive. Cornices may be weakening with the warm air temperatures.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods and valley clouds, light westerly winds, freezing level around 3400 m with below-freezing temperatures in the valleys.

SUNDAY: Partly cloudy and valley clouds, light westerly winds, freezing level around 3000 m with below-freezing temperatures in the valleys.

MONDAY: Mostly sunny and valley clouds, light westerly winds, freezing level around 3400 m with below-freezing temperatures in the valleys.

Danger Ratings Explained

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

5 - Extreme

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

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