Kootenay Boundary

Allow the recent storm snow time to stabilize, and be aware of atypical loading patterns caused by northerly winds at all elevations.

A mix of natural, explosive, and skier-triggered storm or wind slab avalanches were reported on Tuesday. They occurred on a variety of aspects and elevations and were sizes 1 to 2.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

In the past week, as much as 70 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.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy with trace snow amounts, northwest alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud with trace snow amounts, northwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -20 °C.

Friday

Mostly sunny with no precipitation, north alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -30 °C.

Saturday

Sunny with no precipitation, north alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -30 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Give the new snow several days to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
• Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.