Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bonnington, Crawford, Grohman, Kokanee, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, Ymir.
Travel with caution around steep wind-affected slopes.
Field data is limited; We'd love to see your MIN reports if you are out in the mountains!
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No human-triggered avalanches have been reported in the past week. Explosives have triggered several size 1 to 2 slabs, mostly on south and southwest aspects. Old storm snow is generally well-bonded, except possibly in areas with recent wind loading.
Snowpack Summary
Last week's 40 to 70 cm of snow remains soft in sheltered areas but has been redistributed by wind in exposed terrain.
The snowpack is generally strong, with some buried surface hoar 60 to 80 cm deep and crusts near the ground showing no recent avalanche activity.
Treeline snow depths range from 100 to 150 cm.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Partially cloudy with up to 1 cm of snow. 5 to 25 km/h southwest ridge top wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. 5 to 15 km/h west ridge top wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Mostly clear. 12 to 30 km/h southwest ridge top wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C with an above-freezing layer developing between 2000 m to 3000 m.
Tuesday
Mostly clear. 12 to 30 km/h southwest ridge top wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C with an above-freezing layer between 2000 m to 3000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent westerly winds may have formed wind slabs along ridgelines and in exposed terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5