Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the fact that persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast.

THURSDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / southwest wind 15-30 km/h / alpine low temperature near -5 

FRIDAY - Flurries, 5-10 cm, with another 15 cm overnight / southwest wind 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near -3 

SATURDAY - Snow, 10-15 cm with another 15 cm overnight / southwest winds 40-50 km/hr / alpine high temperature near -4 / freezing level 1300 m

SUNDAY - Flurries, 10-15 cm / southwest wind, 50-70 km/h gusting to 90 km/h / alpine high temperature near -3 / freezing level 1500 m 

There were a few size 1 storm slab avalanches reported near Big White on Wednesday.

There was one explosives triggered size 1 cornice avalanche reported near Rossland on Monday.

The most recent persistent slab avalanches reported in the region were about 10 days ago. Although avalanche activity appears to have diminished, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of seeing more persistent slab avalanches.

With 5-10 cm of new snow expected on Friday, new snow totals will be around 10-20 cm. This new snow may have been blown into fresh wind slabs in leeward terrain.

Two weak layers are buried in close proximity to one another. They are 50-80 cm deep around Nelson and 30-50 cm deep around Rossland and other western parts of the region. The layers are composed of feathery surface hoar and sugary faceted grains and they overlie a hard melt-freeze crust. 

There was substantial avalanche activity on these layers prior to Christmas from natural and human triggers. Although reports of such avalanches have been dwindling, these weak layers remain a concern, as they can produce large and destructive avalanches.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of buried persistent weak layers.
• Use conservative route selection and resist venturing out into complex terrain.