Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bonnington, Crawford, Grohman, Kokanee, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Moyie, Norns, Rossland, St. Mary, Valhalla, Ymir.
⚠️ Avoid All avalanche terrain ⚠️Soaring freezing levels and solar radiation will result in a widespread natural avalanche cycle on Sunday.
Check out our latest blog.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Numerous naturally triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 2.5 and persistent slab avalanches up to size 3 (very large) were reported on all aspects at treeline and above on Friday.
Very large, natural avalanches are expected to continue to occur on Sunday.
Snowpack Summary
High freezing levels overnight will result in no overnight re-freeze of the snow surface. As a result, the avalanche danger will rise rapidly throughout the day.
A weak layer of surface hoar is buried 40-60 cm in some areas. A widespread crust with sugary facets above is buried 120-160 cm deep. Both of these layers remain very concerning for human triggering.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Clear skies. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 8 °C. Freezing level 3100 m.
Sunday
Sunny. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 10 °C. Freezing level 3200 m.
Monday
Sunny. 10 to 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 9 °C. Freezing level 3100 m.
Tuesday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 7 °C. Freezing level 2800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of intense solar radiation.
- Only the most simple non-avalanche terrain free of overhead hazard is appropriate at this time.
- If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
A crust with weak facets overtop is down 80 to 160 cm. Very large natural and human triggered avalanches occurring on this layer are very likely on Sunday.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Loose Wet
If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in very large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Cornices
Cornices are large, looming and will likely trigger very large persistent slab avalanches when they fail.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3