Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

On Monday and Tuesday several small (size 1 to 1.5) natural and human triggered dry loose avalanches were reported running in steep terrain. A size 1.5 natural persistent slab was reported on a north aspect in the alpine. A few large (size 2) explosives triggered wind slabs running on southerly aspects in the alpine were reported in Kootenay Pass.

10 to 20 cm of recent snow sits on a layer of surface hoar from the middle of February, or a thin sun crust on steep south-facing slopes.

Below that, 20 to 60 cm of faceted snow overlies a layer of surface hoar buried in late January. It is most reactive where a slab has formed above this layer. You can read more about slabs in this blog.

The lower snowpack is generally well settled.

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with 0 to 1 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 3 to 5 cm of snow. 25 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
• Loose avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in larger avalanches.