Kootenay Boundary

Sunday's big system produced but a few centimeters of snow with freezing levels rising to 1800m. A rain crust is now present below 1800m. Winds were strong from the southwest during the storm forming wind slabs on north through east facing terrain. Generally there is about 150-200cm in the alpine. Treeline depths are between 50 -150cms.Recent snow pack observations are indicating the late October rain crust is present in the alpine elevations and down approximately 120cm. This crust is said to be up to 5mm in thickness with predominate faceting below it. For the moment the crust seems to be bridging over the facets below, with a well settled midpack above.

Fair - Due to limited field observations

Friday: A cold front sweeps across the region Thursday night lingering into the first half of Friday bringing light precipitation & big winds out of the NW blowing at 55 - 85 km/h. No significant precipitation is expected out of the system. Temps are forecasted to stay steady around -6 @ 1500m on Friday.Saturday: High pressure builds back into the region Saturday keeping the region dry through the weekend under mostly sunny skies. Freezing levels will stay near valley bottom but an inversion is forecasted for the area bringing above freezing temperatures between 1800m & 2300m Sunday & Monday.

20cm of new snow fell Tuesday night. Clear sunny skies on Wednesday gave this snow its first taste of the sun & the solar radiation kicked off a cycle of loose moist avalanches to size 1 on southerly slopes. These were small and relatively harmless. Reports from the field also indicate the presence of sensitive wind slabs in complex/convoluted terrain. If you have any avalanche observations to report, please email us at: [email protected].