Avalanche Forecast
Kootenay Boundary
The lure of powder slopes and sunny skies will be strong as the weather clears. Take a cautious approach towards more aggressive terrain - especially steep, wind-affected terrain.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- The new snow may require several days to settle and stabilize.
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday we had reports of natural and skier triggered storm slab avalanches to Size 2 near Nelson. See here for the MIN report.
On Saturday a Size 1 skier-triggered avalanche was reported on an unsupported steep gully feature near Nelson. See here for the MIN report.
The recent storm snow has been reactive to ski cutting, especially down wind (lee) features which have seen wind loading.
We currently have very limited observations in this region. Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
30 - 50cm of new snow has fallen in the past week. At higher elevations, south through west winds (gusting strong at times) redistributed the new snow, forming wind slabs on lee features.
Below the recent storm snow you'll likely find a couple of widespread crusts (2 to 5 cm thick) which formed as a result of late November's rain.
The depth of the snowpack varies greatly with elevation. Recent reports suggest the average depth is 100-170cm in the alpine, 50-100cm at treeline, and decreasing rapidly below treeline where the primary hazards are rocks, stumps, and open creeks.
We currently have very limited snowpack observations within this region and it is critical to supplement this information with your own observations.
Weather Forecast
A clearing trend will result in fine weather for the foreseeable future.
Tuesday: Mainly sunny and warming up. Freezing levels 1000m, alpine high temperatures of -4 Celsius. Light northerly winds.
Wednesday: Sunny. Light northerly winds. Freezing levels 2000m.
Thursday: Sunny and warm. Freezing levels around 3000 m. Light northwesterly winds.
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Avalanche Canada has switched to an RSS feed for its daily forecasts. This is a much more flexible method that allows automatic delivery to your email inbox, or to an RSS reader of your choice.
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Recent wind and snowfall formed storm slabs, which may be more reactive in heavily wind-exposed terrain, or in areas where the new snow has a weak bond with underlying crusts.