Heads up - winter has hit the Kootenays!
Reactive storm slabs will form as wind and snow continue throughout the day. Step back into conservative terrain if you notice signs of instability.
New snow and wind will continue to build storm slabs over the day. Expect greater reactivity in wind affected terrain, and in the afternoon as temperatures rise.
Watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks and wind moving snow.
We expect storm slabs to be reactive to natural and human triggers.
If you are out and about in the mountains, please consider posting your observations to the MIN.
By Monday afternoon, up to 35 cm of new snow is expected - bringing recent storm totals to 40-70 cm.
A layer of faceted snow or surface hoar exists below the recent storm snow. A crust from mid-November is buried 50-70 cm. Several additional crusts can be found in the lower snowpack, and in some areas, weak, sugary facets can be found near the ground.
Many slopes at treeline and below are expected to reach threshold for avalanche activity with this storm.
Sunday Night
Cloudy. 3-5 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Monday
Cloudy. 25-35 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 3-15 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline in the morning. Skies begin to clear in the afternoon. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1800-2100 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 5-15 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 20-40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
