Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bonnington, Crawford, Grohman, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Moyie, Norns, Rossland, Ymir.
Continue to choose simple, mellow terrain. Signs of buried weak layers may be hard to find.
Be especially cautious on high north-facing slopes, and on sunny slopes during warming.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported since Sunday.
Looking forward: Avalanches on buried weak layers may be difficult to trigger, but if one is triggered, it is likely to be large and destructive.
Snowpack Summary
5 to 15 cm of new snow is settling over a widespread melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere but high north-facing slopes.
Two concerning weak layers are present in the mid snowpack: facets/surface hoar or a crust from mid-February buried 40-60 cm, and faceted snow/surface hoar/crust from late January buried 60-100 cm. These layers were active during the warm-up and are most concerning at upper elevations, where a thick and supportive crust under the new snow hasn't stabilized the snowpack.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear. 5 to 10 km/h north wind. Freezing level falling to between 1000 m and valley bottom. Treeline low around -6 °C.
Thursday
Sunny. 10 to 15 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1800 m. Treeline high around -2 °C.
Friday
Sunny. 5 to 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling to valley bottom overnight, rising to 1900 m.
Saturday
Partly cloudy. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling to valley bottom overnight, rising to 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
- In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Weak layers exist 40 to 100 cm deep. These layers remain a concern where there is no thick, supportive crust under the new snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches will become likely if the sun is out for prolonged periods. Avoid overhead hazard from sun-exposed slopes, especially if the snow surface is moist or wet.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2