Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bonnington, Crawford, Grohman, Kokanee, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Moyie, Norns, Retallack, Rossland, South Okanagan, St. Mary, Valhalla, Ymir.
Avalanche size and likelihood will increase throughout the day with continued snowfall.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Numerous storm and wind slab avalanches were reported over the weekend, mostly sized 1 to 2.
Check out this MIN report that details a size 2.5 skier-triggered avalanche near Whitewater Resort on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
In the past week, as much as 50 cm of snow has accumulated in areas. This new snow has buried a variety of old surfaces, including surface hoar on north-facing slopes and a sun crust on south-facing slopes.
The middle of the snowpack contains a series of crusts with the potential of small facetted crystals above.
A thick crust deep in the snowpack largely protects any weak layers further down in the snowpack from being triggered.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -10 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud with up to 10 cm of snow by the morning and a trace amount through the day, west alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -10 °C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud with 2 to 8 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 10 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- It's critical to stay disciplined and choose only well supported, low consequence lines.
- Use increased caution at all elevations. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs will remain reactive with recent snow continuing to accumulate.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5