Regions
Kootenay Boundary.
Watch for wind slabs in the alpine and sluffing in steep terrain.
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY NIGHT: Increasing cloud overnight, 15-30 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperatures drop to -10 C.MONDAY: Cloudy with flurries starting in the evening, 20-40 km/h southwest wind, alpine high temperatures near -6 C, freezing level 1000 m.TUESDAY: Snow with accumulations of 15-25 cm, 20-40 km/h west wind, alpine high temperatures near -6 C, freezing level 1200 m.WEDNESDAY: Lingering flurries with localized accumulations of 5 cm, light northwest wind, alpine high temperatures near -6 C, freezing level 1300 m.
Avalanche Summary
A few small loose dry avalanches were reported on Saturday. On Friday, numerous small (size 1) loose dry avalanches were observed in treeline and alpine terrain, being triggered naturally and by skiers.
Snowpack Summary
15 to 30 cm of recent snow overlies wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, soft and faceted snow in sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Two layers of weak surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 40 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.