Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bonnington, Crawford, Grohman, Kokanee, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Moyie, Norns, Retallack, Rossland, Valhalla, Whatshan, Ymir.
Snowfall amounts are highly variable throughout the region.
If you find more than 20 cm of new snow, treat the danger as CONSIDERABLE
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few small to large wind slab avalanches have been reported on North through East terrain at treeline and above. These have been triggered by cornice fall and riders.
Looking forward: Avalanches on buried weak layers may be difficult to trigger, but if one is triggered, it is likely to be large and destructive.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 18 cm of new snow has been redistributed by southwest wind. This snow sits on a crust on solar aspects and all aspects below 1800 m. Above this, surface hoar or facets exist in sheltered areas and on north aspects.
Two concerning weak layers are present in the mid snowpack: facets/surface hoar or a crust from mid-February buried 30-70 cm, and facet/surface hoar/crust from late January buried 60-100 cm.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with up to 6 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Tuesday
Mainly cloudy with up to 2 cm of snow. 5 to 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Wednesday
Mainly cloudy with up to 8 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C.
Thursday
Mainly cloudy with up to 25 cm of snow. 15 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
- Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
- Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow arrives with moderate to strong southwest wind. Surface hoar and facets exists beneath the new snow at higher and in sheltered locations.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Weak layers exist 40 to 100 cm deep. These layers remain a concern where there is no thick, supportive crust under the recent snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3