Avalanche Forecast

On Monday, near Rossland, several small, thin, naturally triggered storm slab avalanches were reported on steep slopes below treeline.

On Tuesday, southwest of Nelson, a small, rider-triggered avalanche was reported on a steep, wind loaded slope with shallow snow cover. Also, some sluffing was reported while riding in steep terrain.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

10-15 cm of new snow (with localized hotspots of up to 30 cm) has likely covered weak, faceted now in many areas and wind-affected surfaces in open areas at all elevations.

A layer of surface hoar is found down 70 cm in sheltered, north-facing terrain. This layer appears as a sun crust on south-facing slopes. As temperatures slowly warm this layer may become reactive to human triggering. The middle of the snowpack contains a series of old melt freeze-crusts.

A thick crust deep in the snowpack largely protects any weak layers further down in the snowpack from being triggered.

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy. 2-4 cm of snow expected. Light north ridgetop wind. Treeline low around -15 °C.

Thursday

Partly cloudy. No new snow expected. Light east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -15 °C.

Friday

Cloudy. 2-4 cm of snow expected with localized hotspots getting up to 10 cm. Light east ridgetop wind, switching to south through the day. Treeline temperature around -10 °C, with possible temperature inversion.

Saturday

Cloudy. 5-10 cm of snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C, with possible temperature inversion.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
• Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Use appropriate sluff management techniques.
• Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.