Kootenay Boundary

When the snowpack is the question, terrain is the answer.

Uncertainty necessitates conservative terrain selection and good travel habits.

A widespread natural avalanche cycle took place during the storm last Wednesday. Following this storm, the most notable avalanche activity has been large (size 2) persistent slab avalanches failing on buried crust/facets or surface hoar.

Listen to Friday night's State of the Snowpack for more details on the snowpack and avalanche danger in the Nelson area.

Up to 15 cm of new snow will add to 60 cm of recent storm snow. Southwest winds have redistributed this snow into deeper deposits in lee terrain features at higher elevations.

In the mid snowpack (down 40 to 100 cm) there are weak layers of facets, crusts, and in some places surface hoar. The distribution of these layers is highly variable throughout the region. The areas showing the greatest reactivity in these layers are the Goat Range, Bonningtons, and Rossland Range.

The lower snowpack is strong and bonded. Treeline snow depths range from 100 to 180 cm.

Saturday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with up to 2 cm of new snow. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 15 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with up to 15 cm of new snow. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
• Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to a buried crust.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.