Kootenay Pass

Recent new snow coupled with east and southeast wind, is causing wind slab development in alpine and treeline terrain.

There are no new avalanches to report. Expect to see wind slab activity increase in the coming days as the recent new snow gets redistributed into exposed lee terrain.

10 - 20 cm of new snow has accumulated over a crust at most elevations. Below 1500 m surface snow is likely 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 sitting on a crust is buried 80-100 cm deep. While cooler temperatures have likely helped to strengthen these layers, we will continue to monitor them for signs of reactivity.

Sunday Night

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1-2 cm. Wind southeast 10-25 km/h. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Monday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1-2 cm. Wind southeast and southwest 15-35 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Tuesday

Mainly cloudy with 3-5 cm of snow. Wind southwest 15-30 km/h. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Wednesday

Mainly cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow. Wind southwest 15-30 km/h. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.