Kootenay Boundary

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Fair - Wind effect is extremely variable

Tonight and Wednesday: A ridge of high pressure is bringing cold and clear conditions. Strong winds from the E-NE are forecasted, mainly clear skies and temperatures around -19 C.Thursday: The ridge remains dominant bringing similar conditions except moderate winds from the NE and slightly warmer temperatures (-11 C).Friday: Similar conditions with lighter winds.

A loose dry avalanche size 1.5 on a NW facing slope was reported yesterday. There was also report of some skier triggered size 1 loose dry avalanches in steep terrain and very soft slab avalanches on immediate lee features.

Recent and ongoing strong Easterly winds have redistributed the ~20 cm of recent light snow to create windslabs on lee features at all elevations. The windslabs, in exposed areas or loose dry snow in sheltered areas, overlies well developed and widespread surface hoar. This combination has resulted in skier triggered avalanches up to size 1.5, some shooting cracks and whumphing. It is expected that the recent new snow will not stabilize as fast as usual because of the persistent type grain (surface hoar, facets or crust) that it is sitting on and also because of the cold temperatures forecasted. Below this layer, you'll likely find about 10cm of faceted snow over older surface hoar and old, unreactive wind slabs. A melt-freeze crust is now buried on most slopes that saw direct sun last week.Mid-Januarys prolonged warm temperatures have formed a strong and supportive midpack. Deeper persistent layers have become unlikely to trigger, although large and destructive avalanches are still possible in isolated terrain with the right input such as a cornice fall or a heavy load over a thin spot in steep terrain.