Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bonnington, Crawford, Grohman, Kokanee, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Moyie, Norns, Rossland, St. Mary, Valhalla, Ymir.
The storm may have passed but dangerous avalanche conditions persist. The snowpack is primed for human triggering. Conservative decision-making remains critical.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural, skier, and remotely triggered avalanches up to size 3 have been reported in the past few days throughout the region. 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 should begin to taper off going into the weekend, human triggering is expected to remain a serious concern.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 70 cm of storm snow has accumulated over the past week. This new snow has formed touchy slabs, especially in wind-exposed terrain, and may sit over a weak interface 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 roughly 60 to 100 cm and extends up to 2400 m. Weak facets have been found above this crust. This layer has produced many concerning avalanches across the province.
The lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with 1 to 5 cm of snow. 0 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- 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.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Recent snow accompanied by strong wind has formed touchy slabs that may sit over a weak layer. These slabs will remain very reactive to human triggering heading into the weekend 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 very 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