Avalanche danger considerable this weekend and into next week
By Nelson Daily Editor
By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily
The risk of an avalanche remains considerable in the West Kootenay backcountry until Monday, with a special warning for the south Rockies region near Fernie, says a representative of the Canadian Avalanche Association.
Peter Marshall said new snow falling above the alpine may not bond well to the previous snow surface, with additional snow loading triggering avalanches on a buried sun crust on steep southerly aspects.
The special warning does not extend into the Kootenay Boundary, he said, as initial indications show that the conditions near Fernie are not inherent in regions around Nelson and Rossland.
However, explosives testing on Friday in the southeastern part of the Kootenay Boundary region indicate avalanches triggering to size three are running on facets sitting on a rain crust buried in the middle of December.
Numerous natural and human triggered avalanches up to size two were reported throughout the region on Thursday.
“Take this into consideration when making your trip plans this weekend,” Marshall said.
Snowfall will ease to light amounts this weekend as a series of weak low pressure systems approach from the coast. Winds will be moderate from the southwest.
As much as 40 centimetres of new snow has fallen in the past few days accompanied by moderate southwest winds. This new snow sits on a thin sun crust on steep solar aspects and small surface hoar in sheltered areas.
“I’m uncertain of the distribution of this surface hoar layer,” said Marshall.
Warm temperatures and rain caused moist or wet snow below 1,700 metres.
