Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bonnington, Crawford, Grohman, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Moyie, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, St. Mary, Ymir.
Start with small features and test to see how the new snow is bonding in your area before moving into larger terrain.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
A few wet loose avalanches were reported on Tuesday from slopes facing the sun.
Several small (size 1-1.5) storm slabs were reported on Monday. They were more reactive in places where the wind had loaded.
Snowpack Summary
10 to 20 cm of recent storm snow sits on a layer of small surface hoar which may lurk in sheltered areas. In some places, the new snow and surface hoar sits on a thin sun crust.
A thick rain crust from early February is now buried 30 to 40 cm deep and seems well-bonded at lower elevations.
Crusts and facets in the mid and lower snowpack can still be found in isolated pockets.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.
Friday
Clear skies. 15 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Investigate the bond of the recent snow
- Start with conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
May be more reactive on solar aspects where the new snow sits on a thin sun crust or in lee areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Expect small solar-triggered avalanches as the sun hits new snow for the first time.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5