Avalanche Forecast

High

• We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.

It's been an increasingly quiet couple of days in the Kootenay Boundary. No new avalanches were reported on Friday.

On Thursday, several natural and skier triggered wind slabs up to size 1.5 were reported on north/east aspects in the alpine. Natural wet loose avalanches up to size 2 were also reported on steep solar aspects.

If you are heading into the backcountry, please consider sharing conditions by posting a MIN.

Surface crust has likely begun to form on solar aspects, topping 10 to 25 cm of recent snow, which was affected by moderate southwest winds, forming wind slabs on lee aspects at upper elevations. These may still be reactive on steep slopes below ridgetop.

The recent snow sits on a crust from early March that is 5 to 20 cm thick in most locations. It may become thinner at upper elevations.

The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and strong in most areas.

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries bringing 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, increasing. Treeline temperature falling to -2 °C as freezing level dips to 1600 m.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Monday
Becoming mostly sunny after Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 3 cm of snow overnight into the morning. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind, easing. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Tuesday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.