Avalanche Forecast

On Sunday, in the Kootenay Pass area, riders were causing very small, loose dry avalanches in steep terrain, and small (size 1-1.5) storm slab avalanches in a few lee features.

On Saturday, North and South of Nelson, numerous small (size 1-1.5), and a few large (size 2) natural and rider triggered avalanches were reported. They were easily triggered on north and northeast aspects at treeline and into the alpine.

Many reports mentioned that the storm snow was touchy, propagated easily, and had the potential for remote and sympathetic avalanches.

In the Rossland area, explosives avalanche control produced several size 1-2 avalanches, 15-40 cm deep.

15-30 cm of new snow has buried a melt freeze crust or moist snow exists on all aspects except on north facing slopes at high elevations. On these high elevation, shaded, north facing slopes, you may find layers of old windslab, facets, or small surface hoar under the new snow. Recent moderate to strong southwest wind has formed deeper deposits of snow on leeward slopes.

The mid-pack is generally well-settled.

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.

A generally convective weather pattern will mean that the next few days will have spotty areas of cloud and light snowfall, or quick bursts of intense snowfall, but it also might be sunny, and everything could change at the drop of a hat.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear. No new snow expected. very light variable ridgetop winds. Freezing levels fall to valley bottom. Treeline low around -8°C.

Monday

Sunny morning, clouding over by the afternoon. 0-2 cm of snow expected. Up to 5 cm in isolated areas. Light northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels rise to 1400 m. Treeline high around -6°C.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy. Possible trace of snow expected. Variable light ridgetop wind, picking up in the late afternoon. Freezing levels at valley bottom in the morning, rise to 1500 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. Possible trace of snow expected. Light southwest wind, trending to moderate at higher elevations. Freezing levels at valley bottom in the morning, rise to 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
• Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.