Avalanche Forecast
Kootenay Boundary
With more spring-like weather expected on Thursday, beware of changing conditions during the day and from one aspect to another. Wet snow may exist on steep, sunny slopes in the afternoon while pockets of wind slab may still linger near ridgecrest.
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Avalanche Summary
There have been no reports of avalanche activity since the weekend when small loose dry avalanches were observed from skier traffic in steep terrain on Saturday. Prior to that, small wind slabs were released by a skier and explosives in alpine lee features on Friday. And on Thursday, small loose wet avalanches were observed on steep south-facing slopes.
Snowpack Summary
The snow surface varies widely depending on aspect and elevation. On south aspects a spring-like, melt-freeze crust has formed at all elevations but will likely breakdown by the afternoon particulary on steep, sun-exposed slopes. On northerly aspects, feathery, surface hoar crystals (up to 30 mm in length in sheltered areas) have been observed below treeline as well as protected areas at treeline. In the alpine the surface consists of sugary snow (facets) and hard, wind scoured snow. Below the snow surface the upper snowpack is well settled and overlies a series of late-November crusts which is now buried 20-50 cm and is 15-25 cm thick. Recent snowpack tests have produced hard, resistant compression test results within the layers of this crust. Below the crust layer the lower snowpack is moist and well settled.
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy, isolated flurries. Accumulation trace. Ridge wind light from the west. Temperature -6. Freezing level 800 m. Alpine temperature inversion.
FRIDAY: Cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 5 cm. Ridge wind light from the southwest. Temperature -5. Freezing level 900 m.
SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light flurries. Accumulation trace. Ridge wind light from the northwest. Temperature -6. Freezing level 600 m.
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