Kootenay Boundary

Fair - Wind effect is extremely variable

A ridge of high pressure will continue to keep things cold and dry throughout the forecast period. We should see a mix of sun and cloud for all 3 days, and no significant precipitation is expected. Winds are expected be light and northerly on Monday, becoming easterly on Tuesday and Wednesday. Alpine temperatures should hover around -18 on Monday dropping to about -20 for Tuesday and Wednesday.

In the wake of recent snowfall we received reports of widespread sluffing to size 1.5 in steep terrain. Over the weekend a few size 1.5 naturally triggered wind slabs were also report on north facing alpine slopes.

Between 15 and 25cm of low density snow now overlies well developed surface hoar which exists on most aspects, and in some cases, well into the alpine. Below this you'll likely find about 10cm of faceted snow over older surface hoar and old, unreactive wind slabs. A melt-freeze crust is now buried on most slopes that saw direct sun last week.Most reports indicate the wind was light during and after the recent snowfall. However, I've also received accounts of localized moderate to strong winds which suggests the new snow likely exists as a reactive wind slab in some areas.The recent prolonged warm temperatures have formed a strong and supportive midpack. Deeper persistent layers have become unlikely to trigger, although large and destructive avalanches are still possible in isolated terrain with the right input such as a cornice fall or a heavy load over a thin spot in steep terrain.