A storm starting Sunday night and carrying through Monday will increase the avalanche hazard.
The chance of avalanches will be very likely today.
Some areas of our region, such as Kootenay Pass, may see up to 45 mm of precipitation by Monday night. Warm temperatures will have this fall as rain at lower elevations and as heavy wet snow at higher elevations. Moderate to strong southwest winds all also associated with this storm.
Whether it is rain, heavy snow, or a large wind deposit of snow, avalanche activity is expected to increase.
Near Kootenay Pass on Saturday, there was an accidental skier-triggered storm slab avalanche. It was on a north aspect at treeline. The triggered point was on a convex roll.
Also on Saturday, a little further north, near Whitewater, there was another storm slab avalanche that was accidentally triggered by a skier. This one was a size two and was also on a north aspect and started in the alpine at a depth of 15 to 20 cm down.
By Monday morning our latest storm will be fully upon us. South to southwest winds will redistribute any available snow at higher elevations. End of the day Monday may see around 40 cm accumulation. Much of this will be heavy and wet with a snow line of around 1900 m. This new snow may cover 30 to 40 cm of light snow in sheltered higher-elevation areas. There is a widespread crust down 30 to 50 cm, except on north-facing slopes at treeline and above, where it sits on old, faceted surfaces, and surface hoar in some areas.
The mid-pack is generally well-settled.
In some areas, the lower snowpack includes a layer of weak facets near the ground. No recent avalanches have been reported on this layer. However, we continue to track the layer and watch for any signs of it becoming active again.
Sunday Night
Cloudy, 10 to 15 cm accumulation of wet snow, winds south 30 to 40 km/h, freezing levels potentially getting up to 2100 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy, up to 30 cm accumulation of wet snow, winds southwest 30 km/h gusting to 60, freezing levels as high as 2200 m, and the snow line around 1900 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy, up to 30 cm accumulation by the morning with another 10 during the day, winds southwest 25 to 35 km/h, freezing levels back down to around 1500 m, and the snow level around 1000 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with sunny periods, trace precipitation, winds southwest 15 to 20 km/h, freezing levels starting at 600 m and climbing to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
