Avalanche Forecast

Exposed areas, especially in the alpine, feature wind effect and reverse loading of varying degrees as a result of recent strong, primarily northerly winds. Cold temperatures over the same recent period have created weak, faceted surface snow as well as surface hoar in more sheltered areas. Solar aspects in many areas are now glazed with sun crust from periods of more intense solar radiation.

Where it hasn't blown away or isn't lingering as a stubborn wind slab, 20-40 cm of storm snow from last weekend is reportedly well settled. In some areas - such as Kootenay Pass and Pine Pass - it overlies a rain crust. Where it exists, this interface is worth investigating. Precipitation falling as rain instead of snow during a storm two weeks ago explains the crust as well as the slightly shallower snowpack found in these areas. Similar crusts may be found bisecting the snowpack at mid and lower elevations elsewhere in the interior.

Total snowpack depths across this area currently range from about 60-120 cm, with shallower depths found below the alpine (naturally), as well as toward Kootenay Pass, and toward Pine Pass.

See the Mountain Weather Forecast to help you plan your early winter trips.