Regions
Kootenay Boundary.
The recent snow may not bond well to underlying surfaces and may be touchy to human traffic. Travel conservatively, particularly if you notice slab properties or observe signs of snow instability.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, strong southwest winds, freezing level 800 m.SATURDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, strong southwest winds, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level rising to 1400 m over the day.SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy, light north winds, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level 800 m.MONDAY: A mix of sun and clouds, light northwest winds, alpine temperature -7 C, freezing level 600 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed on Thursday. Avalanche activity may increase this weekend due to the incoming storm.
Snowpack Summary
Around 10 to 15 cm of snow fell on Thursday night with strong southwest winds. More is expected on Friday night. This snow is falling onto a sun crust on south aspects and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas at all elevation bands. The new snow may not bond well to these surfaces.Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.