Regions
Kootenay Boundary.
Some avalanche risk remains in the backcountry at this time. Pay particular attention to wind loaded slopes and slopes that are being impacted by the sun.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Weather Forecast
WEDNESADY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods. Dry. Alpine temperature low -8C. Light northwest winds. THURSDAY: Mainly cloudy with sunny periods. Isolated flurries. Alpine temperature high -7C. Light southwest winds gusting moderate at ridgetops.FRIDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods. Isolated flurries. Alpine temperature reaching -4C. Light southwest winds gusting moderate.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and clouds. Dry. Alpine temperature reaching -2C. Light southwest winds. Freezing level between 1600m and 1900m.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous small (size 1-1.5) storm slabs avalanches were triggered by skiers as well as few large ones (size 2-2.5) from explosives in alpine features on various aspects recently. One report mentioned a small slide triggered on a persistent weak layer about 65 cm down on southeast slope around 2000m.
Snowpack Summary
Additional snow amounts of 5 cm Tuesday has brought storm snow totals to approximately 40 cm in this region. This storm snow is resting on a variety of surfaces, including crusts on southern aspects, hard wind-affected snow in exposed locations and soft faceted snow in sheltered areas.Two layers of weak surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 45 and 80 cm deep, which were buried in mid-February and early-February. The layers may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Avalanche activity on these layers has tapered, but it may still be possible to trigger one of these layers in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks and large open glades.
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.