Kootenay Pass

New snow may not bond well to the crust below, watch for reactivity on steep slopes and near ridgelines.

Highest storm totals are expected in the Southern Purcells

We expect slab avalanche activity to increase on Sunday with cooler temperatures and fresh snowfall.

Storm totals are expected to reach 10-20 cm by Sunday afternoon. This snow accumulates over a crust at most elevations where it may not bond well. Below 1500 m surface snow may remain moist or wet.

A layer of facets (and small surface hoar in some areas) is buried 30-60 cm deep and a layer of facets on a crust is buried 80-100 cm deep. While cooler temperatures have allowed these layers to strengthen we continue to monitor them for signs of reactivity.

Saturday Night

Cloudy with 5-15 cm of snow expected overnight. Freezing levels remain around 1500 m, with treeline temperatures around -2 °C. 10-30 km/hr easterly winds.

Sunday

Snowfall tapers off during the day, with another 5 cm possible in the Selkirks, trace amounts for the Southern Purcells. Freezing levels reach 1500 m again. Treeline temperatures around -3 °C. Southeast winds, 10-20 km/h.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with possible flurries. Freezing levels reach 1200 m over the day. Treeline temperatures around -5 °C. Southeast winds 20-40 km/h.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with light snowfall, 5-15 cm. Freezing levels rise to 1500 m, treeline temperatures around -3 °C. Light to moderate southwest winds, 20-30 km/h.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
• Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.