North Columbia

The intensity of the warming this weekend is uncertain. This uncertainty is best handled with cautious route selection.

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain

FRIDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, temperature inversion from 1700 m to 2500 m with 0C in the alpine. SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Temperature inversion from 1600 m to 2800 m with +2C in the alpine.SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Temperature inversion from 1700 m to 2700 m with +2C in the alpine. MONDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. Temperature inversion from 1700 m to 2500 m with up to +4C in the alpine.

On Thursday, several size 1-2.5 natural and human triggered avalanches were observed in steep slopes at treeline and in the alpine on all aspects. With the expected warming on the weekend there is a possibility of triggering deeper layers in the snowpack, see the MIN post here as an example.

Warm upper-level air temperatures may be impacting the snow surface. You may find dry snow, moist snow, or possibly a frozen melt-freeze crust, depending on how warm the air temperatures are. The warm air may produce touchy storm slabs at all elevations. At the highest of elevations, wind slabs may still linger in lee and cross-loaded terrain features.The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong. However, there still remain a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack around treeline and alpine elevations. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains. The likelihood of triggering these layers may increase with the warm air incoming this weekend. These layers would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow.