Regions
Kootenay Boundary.
Be cautions in sheltered areas below tree-line where pockets of recently buried surface hoar may be found.
Weather Forecast
A strengthening storm system is expected to make a big impact on the coast this weekend, but very little of that system is expected to spill into the mountains of the Kootenay Boundary. SATURDAY: Freezing level at valley bottom. Trace of snow possible. Moderate W/SW winds. SUNDAY: 2 to 8 cm of snow possible, freezing level rising to 500m, moderate SW winds. MONDAY: 3 to 8 cm of snow possible, freezing level rising from valley bottom to 500m, Light to moderate SW winds.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches to report from Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
Reports indicate that up to 20cm of new snow now covers a new layer of surface hoar that can be found on all aspects in protected areas. Recent winds have been highly variable and may have formed fresh wind slabs on both north and south aspects. A crust can be found in the upper meter of the snowpack as high as 2400m. At tree-line elevation this crust is thick and supportive, and should be capping any deeper weaknesses.
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.