Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bonnington, Crawford, Grohman, Kokanee, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, Ymir.
Travel with caution around steep wind-affected slopes.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No recent human-triggered avalanches have been reported, but a few size 1 to 2 slab avalanches were triggered by explosives earlier this week, mainly on south and southwest aspects. The storm snow should now be well-bonded, except in areas recently affected by wind loading.
Snowpack Summary
Last week's 40 to 70 cm of snow remains soft in sheltered areas but may have formed reactive slabs in wind-affected terrain, particularly near ridgelines.
The snowpack is generally strong, with small surface hoar 50 to 70 cm deep and melt-freeze crusts near the ground, though no recent avalanches have been reported on these layers.
Treeline snow depths are around 100 to 150 cm.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Cloudy. 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Friday
Cloudy. 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 1 cm of snow. 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent westerly winds may have formed wind slabs along ridgelines and in exposed terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5