Regions
Kootenay Boundary.
More snow is expected on Tuesday. Observe for the bond of the new snow to the previous surfaces before committing into avalanche terrain. Be particularly cautious under periods of rapid snowfall loading, as avalanche activity will likely increase.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 20 cm, light to moderate west winds, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1500 m.WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny and afternoon clouds, light southeast winds, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1500 m.THURSDAY: Mostly sunny, light southwest winds, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level 2000 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, many loose wet avalanches and storm slab avalanches were triggered naturally and by explosives. They were large (size 2 to 2.5) and on all aspects between 1700 m and 2100 m.
Snowpack Summary
Around 20 to 30 cm of snow fell on Monday. This fell on moist snow or a melt-freeze crust up to at least 1800 m produced from rain and warm temperatures on Sunday. Numerous other melt-freeze crusts exist in the upper snowpack from rain, sun, and warming during the spring season. The snowpack below this is generally well-settled and strong.At lower elevations below treeline, a spring snowpack exists.
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.
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.