Regions
Kootenay Boundary.
New snow and shifting wind directions may create wind slabs on a variety of aspects, including slopes that are generally windward.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY: 10-20 cm of new snow (higher end of range in the west). Light to moderate southwesterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1500m.FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. Light Southwesterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1500 m.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Light westerly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1700m.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous naturally triggered loose wet avalanches to size 1.5 were reported in this region on Tuesday. Fresh wind slabs will be the primary concern on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
New snow and shifting wind directions have created fresh wind slabs on a variety of aspects at Treeline and above. The new snow will be prone to sliding in steep terrain where it is sitting on a crust. Cornices are large in some areas and could trigger large avalanches when they fail.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.