Regions
Kootenay Boundary.
If you're heading into the Bonnington Range, please see our Forecast Details page for specific snowpack information.
Confidence
Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Monday: continued moderate snowfall / moderate west winds with strong gusts / freezing level at 900mTuesday: trace amounts of snow / light to moderate southwest winds / freezing level between 900 and 1000mWednesday: light snow in the morning with a clearing trend developing in the afternoon / light westerly winds and rising freezing levels
Avalanche Summary
Numerous fresh windslab avalanches to size 1.5 were observed in the region over the last 24 hours. More deep activity was reported from the Bonnington Range on Saturday where a size 2.5 and a size 3 avalanche were reported to have released on the mid-December surface hoar/facet layer.
Snowpack Summary
Warmer temperatures, moderate southwest winds and moderate snowfall throughout the weekend continued to add to an ongoing wind slab issue creating cohesive and reactive wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. In some parts of the region underlying storm snow from mid-week is sitting on a freezing rain crust that developed on Tuesday morning. Reactivity on the crust (which sits about 35cm below the surface in most wind-neutral areas) may develop with increased load. A few operators are also talking about a surface hoar layer that was buried on January 14th. Its reactivity has been described as "stubborn", but it has potential to size 3. A layer of concern deeper in the snowpack is the surface hoar/facet layer from mid-December. This layer has become less of a concern in the vast majority of locations. In the Bonnington Range, however, it is still on the radar of backcountry travelers as the layer is still reactive and is producing avalanches to size 3 in isolated features. This lingering layer of concern reflects the variability of the snowpack within the region. Snowpack depths in the region are around 230 cm at treeline.
Problems
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.
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.