Avalanche Forecast

Poor - Due to limited field observations

Synopsis: A broad and persistent trough of low pressure of the coast of BC will maintain a westerly-southwesterly flow with mild and wet conditions for the next few days. A strong frontal system should move across southern BC on Tuesday bringing heavier precipitation and rising freezing levels. Monday: Light to moderate snowfall – 10-15 cm; the freezing level is around 1000-1200 m; winds are light to moderate from the southwest. Tuesday: Heavy snow – 35-45 cm; the freezing level could jump to 1800-2000 m; winds are strong from the southwest. Wednesday: Cloudy with flurries; the freezing level lowers to 600-800 m.  

Several natural and human triggered avalanches up to size 2 were reported in the Kootenay Pass area on Friday and Saturday. Most of these avalanches involved the recent moist storm snow. The size and likelihood of natural and human triggering avalanches should increase with continued precipitation over the next couple days. If you and your friends have been out exploring and riding in the backcountry and have some observations to share please send an email to forecaster@avalanche.ca.

Up to 70 cm of moist storm snow has fallen in the past 3 days. This snowfall was accompanied by generally moderate southerly winds, forming wind slabs in exposed leeward terrain. Below the storm snow is a layer of surface hoar or a thin crust. Recent snowpack tests give consistent easy results on this layer.In the mid snowpack, there may be a thin buried surface hoar layer between 80 and 100cm deep. At the base of the snowpack sits the early November rain crust. This layer seems most likely to be found in deeper snowpack areas and may have associated facets. These layers have been unreactive in recent days, but may have the potential to 'wake-up' with continued loading and forecast warming.In general, snowpack data is sparse in this region and significant variations likely exist from one drainage to another. In short, digging down and making your own observations will be critical to safe slope selection. Any observations from the field are welcome at forecaster@avalanche.ca.