Regions
Kootenay Boundary.
Winds slabs are the main concern. Temperatures will be gradually warming so pay particular attention to slopes that are affected by the sun.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY NIGHT: Mainly cloudy. Alpine temperature low of -7C. Moderate northwest winds at ridgetops.FRIDAY: Isolated flurries. Cloudy with sunny periods. Alpine temperature reaching -4C. Moderate northwest winds at ridgetops.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and clouds. Dry. Alpine temperature reaching -2C. Light westerly winds. Freezing level between 1600m and 1900m. SUNDAY: Mainly sunny with clouds. Alpine temperature around 0C. Light northwest winds. Freezing level between 2000m and 2500m. No overnight freeze expected.
Avalanche Summary
Widespread loose-dry avalanches were triggered by skiers on steep north-facing slopes as well as numerous wind slabs on alpine features on various aspects. They all remained small (size 1 to 1.5) and were confined to the recent snow near the surface. Sun has already affected the snow on steep south-facing slopes and triggered small loose wet avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
Last 7 days snowfalls (25-40 cm) now sit on various surfaces such as sun crusts on southerly slopes, hard wind-affected snow in exposed locations and soft faceted snow in sheltered areas. Recent winds have switched around from north to west to south affecting the fresh snow on a variety of aspects. Two layers of weak surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 55 and 90 cm deep, which were buried in mid-February and early-February. The layers may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects.
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.