Avalanche Forecast

Low - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Strong southwesterly flow is expected to continue to drive moist and progressively warmer systems into the Kootenay Boundary. The dynamic nature of the current pattern makes it very difficult to pin down exact timing and corresponding precipitation amounts. As a result the ranges of expected precipitation are quite wide. SATURDAY NIGHT: Freezing level around 1000m, 1 to 15cm of snow possible accompanied by strong southerly winds. SUNDAY: Freezing level starting at 1000m rising to 1500m during the day. 1 to 12cm possible. Continued moderate/strong south/southwest winds expected. SUNDAY NIGHT: 5 to 20cm of snowfall. Freezing level at 1500m. Strong southerly winds. MONDAY: Freezing level climbing to around 2000m. Continued strong southerly winds. 10 to 30 cm of snow possible at upper elevations. TUESDAY: Potential for lots of moisture, but its hard to say how much this far in advance. The freezing level could go as high as 2500m. For a more comprehensive mountain weather forecast visit: avalanche.ca/weather

We're receiving limited reports from the region and visibility has been poor. Recent observations suggest that the storm snow is becoming reactive as a soft slab, at least on convex features. No further details available.

Up to 50 cm of storm snow now rests on a variety of old snow surfaces including stubborn wind slabs, crusts at upper elevations (especially on southerly aspects), loose faceted snow and surface hoar in sheltered areas. In some parts of the region a thick hard crust is reported to exist between 30 and 60 cm below the surface. For the time being, this hard crust is likely adding significant strength to the snowpack. That said, the combination of facets and surface hoar overlying a hard crust could become a reactive weak layer as more and more weight is added to it. There is also a thick crust from early-November deeper in the snowpack. The limited observations we have suggest that this crust is well bonded, but more data is needed before we write it off.