Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bonnington, Grohman, Kokanee, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Norns, North Okanagan, Rossland, South Okanagan, Valhalla, Ymir.
Verify conditions before committing to steep slopes. Small wind slabs may have formed at upper elevations.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Recent observations are limited to evidence of old wet loose avalanches (size 1 to 2) from earlier warm, sunny weather.
Consider sharing what you see on the Mountain Information Network if you go into the backcountry:
How much new snow?
Was it wind-affected?
What are surface conditions like?
Snowpack Summary
Upper elevations may have received 10 to 20 cm of new snow by Monday, which likely sits above melt-freeze crusts. A spring diurnal pattern is in effect. Daytime warming moistens the upper snowpack, and overnight cooling usually forms a hard crust at higher elevations. Lower elevations may not refreeze and are melting out quickly.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with highly variable flurries bringing 0 to 15 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Tuesday
Sunny. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Wednesday
Sunny. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Scattered flurries and westerly winds may form wind slabs on open alpine slopes and along ridgelines.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5