Regions
Kootenay Boundary.
Avalanche hazard is generally decreasing. However, uncertainty still exists regarding the reactivity of a buried weak layer that has been most prevalent on shady aspects, at treeline elevations.
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods / Light, northwesterly winds / Low -8 C / Freezing level below valley bottom.TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, northwesterly winds / High -4 C / Freezing level below valley bottom.WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy / Moderate, northwesterly winds / High -5 C / Freezing level below valley bottom.THURSDAY: Cloudy / Moderate, westerly winds / High -2 C / Freezing level 1000 m.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches were reported in the region on Sunday.
Snowpack Summary
The snow surface was recently impacted by strong northwest winds, the sun, and warm air temperatures. Expect to find small wind slabs in lee terrain features. On southerly aspects, a melt-freeze crust may be found to the mountain top. At lower elevations, a melt-freeze crust may be found on all aspects.Below the snow surface, a widespread crust exists about 10 to 20 cm deep. At a depth of around 20 to 40 cm, expect to find yet another crust on south aspects and feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded areas. The surface hoar may be most reactive at treeline elevations on shady aspects. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most locations.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.