Regions
Kootenay Boundary.
Snow is forecasted for Saturday with associated strong winds. Be cautious of periods of rapid precipitation or wind loading, as avalanche activity may increase.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15 cm, moderate southerly winds, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 1600 m.SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with early-morning snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, light westerly winds, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 1600 m.MONDAY: Partly cloudy, light southwesterly winds, alpine temperature -1 C, freezing level 1800 m.
Avalanche Summary
Small loose wet avalanches were naturally triggered on Thursday in steep alpine terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 10 cm of storm snow overlies settled snow from last weekend. A 5 cm thick crust is found around 40 cm deep on all aspects and elevations, except above 1900 m on north slopes.The snowpack below this is generally well-settled and strong.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.