Kootenay Boundary

Continuously assess conditions as you move through terrain

Avalanches are possible where the upper snowpack feels "slabby"

Over the past couple days several size 1 wind and persistent slab avalanches have been reported. These avalanches released on the surface hoar layer from late January and were on a variety of aspects at treeline. Triggers included explosives, ski cuts and skier accidental.

Exposed terrain in the alpine and treeline is variably wind-affected. In sheltered terrain a layer of surface hoar or a sun crust can be found on or just below the surface.

20 to 60 cm  of faceted snow overlies a weak layer from late January. This layer consists of a crust on sun exposed slopes and a layer of surface hoar on all other aspects.

Check out this MIN report from the eastern side of this region.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled.

Monday Night

Clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

Tuesday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.

Wednesday

Sunny. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Thursday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C, potential for temperature inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
• Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
• Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.