Kootenay Boundary

A Special Public Avalanche Warning is in effect. There seems to be a lot of variability in the snowpack across this region. Conditions are expected to be worse in the north.

The current warm stormy flow is expected to be replaced by brutally cold arctic air this weekend.Friday: 10-25 mm precipitation. Temperatures are generally remaining warm, with a freezing level near 1900 m. Rapid cooling late in the day, which may lead to snow to low levels, and deep dry new snow at upper elevations. Strong to gale SW winds, easing as the cold air/snow arrives.Saturday: Any remaining snowfall should end by afternoon. Becoming cold and clear. Light winds.Sunday: Cold and clear. Light winds. Brrr.

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

A widespread loose wet and wet slab avalanche cycle to size 2 was observed on Thursday at treeline and below in the south of the region. No observations were made in the alpine.

Around Kootenay Pass, rain moistened (and weakened) the snowpack to perhaps about 2000m on Thursday. It's expected that the snowpack in this region may remain weak through the warm part of Friday, but strengthen rather quickly after the cold snap arrives.In the Whitewater backcountry, a weak and shallow snowpack was reported on Wednesday, with lots of whumpfing and collapsing. Due to a lack of field observations, it is unclear how Thursday's warm temperatures/ rain have influenced the snowpack here. Above about 2000m and in the north of the region, I have the most avalanche concerns. It's these areas which may be harbouring a weak layer (formed during November's dry spell), now overloaded with storm snow. We have very limited field information. If you have been out in the mountains, we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected].