Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bonnington, Crawford, Grohman, Kokanee, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Moyie, Norns, Retallack, Rossland, South Okanagan, St. Mary, Valhalla, Ymir.
Avalanche hazard remains elevated as the recent storm snow will require time to settle and stabilize.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural and human-triggered storm and wind slab avalanches have been reported since the weekend, mostly sized 1 to 2.
Check out this MIN report that details a size 2.5 skier-triggered avalanche near Whitewater Resort on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
In the past week, as much as 50 cm of snow has accumulated in some areas. This new snow has buried a variety of old surfaces, including surface hoar on north-facing slopes and a sun crust on south-facing slopes.
The middle of the snowpack contains a series of old melt freeze-crusts.
A thick crust deep in the snowpack largely protects any weak layers further down in the snowpack from being triggered.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -9 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm of snow, northwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature - 14 °C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud with trace snow amounts, northwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature - 18 °C.
Friday
Mostly sunny with no precipitation, north alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -30 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
- Give the new snow several days to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm and wind slabs will remain reactive with ongoing snow and wind.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5