Regions
Kootenay Boundary.
Avalanche danger will rise through the day. Be cautions in sheltered areas below tree-line where pockets of recently buried surface hoar may be found.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY: Between 10 and 20cm of new snow accompanied by moderate to strong southwest winds, freezing level at the valley floor. SATURDAY: light snowfall expected mainly west of Nelson, light southwest winds, -7 at tree-line. SUNDAY: Up to 10cm concentrated around Kootenay pass, light to moderate westerly winds, -10 at tree-line.
Avalanche Summary
Ski cuts have been able to produce size small wind slab avalanche in alpine lee features.
Snowpack Summary
Reports indicate that up to 10cm of new snow now cover a new layer of surface hoar that can be founding on all aspects in protected areas. Recent winds have been highly variable and may have formed fresh wind slabs on both north and south aspects. A crust can be found in the upper meter of the snowpack as high as 2400m. At tree-line elevation this crust is thick and supportive, and should be capping any deeper weaknesses.
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.