Kootenay Boundary

Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain

Sat: No new snow expected. Freezing level around 1700 m, although a weak inversion may give warmer alpine temperatures. Moderate SW winds.Sun: Flurries early in the morning giving way to clear skies. Cooler alpine temperatures. Moderate to strong SW winds at ridgetop.Mon: Dry and warm with freezing levels rising to around 2000 m.

There have been no recent reports of avalanches.

Large surface hoar and faceted powder on sheltered shady slopes, and a surface crust on sun-exposed slopes, is now lightly buried in most locations. At present this near-surface layer poses little hazard except in very specific areas where wind slabs have developed above it. However, looking ahead, once this weak layer becomes buried by around 40 cm of sufficiently cohesive snow, a highly unstable situation will develop. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong, but faceted. Recent easy test results on basal facets and depth hoar necessitates caution on wind-exposed slopes with highly variable snowpack depths, where this deep persistent weakness could be triggered from a shallow spot. Check out the Forecaster's Blog link below for more general snowpack discussion and good advice.