Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bonnington, Crawford, Grohman, Kokanee, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Moyie, Norns, Rossland, St. Mary, Valhalla, Ymir.
The snowpack remains primed for human triggering. Conservative terrain selection is critical.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Natural, skier, and remotely triggered avalanches up to size 3 have been reported throughout the region daily since last weekend. Many of these avalanches failed on layers below the recent storm snow, the mid-February weak layer, and the early-February facet/crust layer.
While natural activity has begun to taper off, human triggering is expected to remain a serious concern.
Snowpack Summary
Roughly 70 cm of recent snow has accumulated over the last week. The new snow has formed touchy slabs, especially in wind-exposed terrain, and may sit over a variety of weak interfaces in some areas.
A weak layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust from mid-February may be found down 40 to 80 cm.
A widespread crust formed in early February is buried by roughly 60 to 120 cm and extends up to 2400 m. Weak facets have been found above this crust. This layer continues to produce concerning avalanches across the province.
The lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
- Only the most simple non-avalanche terrain free of overhead hazard is appropriate at this time.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Recent snow accompanied by strong wind has formed touchy slabs that may sit over various weak layers. These slabs remain reactive to human triggering and have the potential to travel full path.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers remain sensitive to human triggering and could result in very large avalanches. It is possible to trigger these layers remotely and avalanches have the potential to run full path, so watch your overhead exposure.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5