Rossland

Rising freezing levels increase the likelihood of avalanches.

Be extra cautious if the surface snow is wet.

Moderate

• We are uncertain about how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.
• We are uncertain due to variable freezing levels.

January 30

• Numerous natural, human triggered, and explosive triggered avalanches have been reported throughout the region. All occurring on the mid-January buried surface hoar/facet/crust layer.

January 29

• Several human triggered small storm slabs over the layer of surface hoar and crust from mid-January were reported just east of this region. Some remote triggered avalanches were reported where surface hoar is buried 20 cm or more.

15 to 25 cm of snow sits over a surface hoar and crust layer. This new snow will be accompanied by southwest winds, meaning that the crust will likely remain on the surface on southerly aspects while deeper deposits will be found on north and east aspects. The surface hoar is largest in sheltered treeline and below treeline features.

The mid and lower snowpack is well settled.

Check out this MIN from the Big White area for more details.

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.

Sunday
Cloudy. 1 to 3 mm of precipitation. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 mm of rain. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be aware of the potential for human triggerable storm slabs at lower elevations, even on small features.
• Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
• Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.