Regions
Kootenay Boundary.
There is a lot of variability in the amount of storm snow in the region. If there is close to 30 cms of storm snow in your area, consider these ratings to be a about one level too low.
Confidence
Poor - Due to variable snowpack conditions for the entire period
Weather Forecast
Overnight and Saturday: Moderate Westerly winds overnight combined with light snow and freezing levels at valley bottoms. Expect a couple of cms during the day and winds becoming light Westerly.Sunday: Unsettled weather with overcast skies and light snow showers. Westerly winds becoming strong and gusty.Monday: Cooler temperatures and light Southerly winds with a trace of snow.
Avalanche Summary
Loose snow natural and skier controlled avalanches up to size 1.0 were reported from the Kootenay Pass area.
Snowpack Summary
Recent snow fall amounts have been variable across the region. Some areas have about 30 cms that is reacting to light additional loads, and sliding on the weak surface hoar layer that was buried on the 23rd of January. Some other areas only had 10-15 cms with lighter winds, and the new snow has not formed a reactive storm slab. Due to this variability, it is difficult to rate the danger for the entire region.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.