Regions
Kootenay Boundary.
A mild spring-like pattern continues. Avalanche danger will vary depending on aspect, elevation, and time of day. Stay tuned-in to signs of instability.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
A series of moist and mild weather systems is tracking onto the BC Coast under a southwesterly flow. Light or locally moderate precipitation is expected to make it inland with each pulse. Generally, we should expect 5-10 mm each day with the daytime freezing level hovering around 1600-1800 m. Ridge winds should be from the W-SW, peaking at strong with the passage of each system. Currently it looks like a good chance of some sunshine on Monday afternoon.
Avalanche Summary
There were no new reports of avalanches on Thursday or Friday.
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm of new snow sits on a supportive crust at and below treeline, a breakable crust on south-facing slopes in the alpine, buried surface hoar in sheltered terrain, or wind affected surfaces. Moderate southerly winds may have created fresh dense wind slabs on exposed leeward slopes. An older buried crust can be found down 40cm extending well up into the alpine. Below this, a thick slab rests on a layer of surface hoar that was buried earlier in January. This layer is 80-130 cm deep and continues to pose a low probability/ high consequence threat, producing sudden planar fractures in snowpack tests under moderate to heavy loads. It should remain on your radar, especially during periods of warming or rapid loading. A rain crust from early December sits near the base of the snowpack.
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.