Snow and wind are increasing in many areas, and avalanche danger may rise throughout the day.
Check out this blog for details on current persistent weak layers across the province.
Small amounts of new snow continue to accumulate and could be redistributed by winds at higher elevations, forming reactive wind slabs. Older wind slabs from a recent strong wind event may persist on steep slopes just below the surface.
Weak layers buried in late January or February may be reactive in isolated areas. Their distribution is uncertain, but it is most likely to be triggered on large slopes, where small surface avalanches could step down to the layer.
Visibility in the alpine has been limited recently, but a few large avalanches (up to size 3) have been reported south of Highway 16 since Tuesday. These likely started from wind loading, though it is unclear if they stepped down to deeper weak layers.
Late last week, during stormy conditions, a large avalanche cycle occurred near Blue River. Some avalanches likely stepped down to deeper weak layers, reaching up to size 4.
Roughly 10 to 20 cm of new snow continues to accumulate over previously wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain, over a thin sun crust on south-facing slopes, and on moist or crusty surfaces at lower elevations.
A layer buried in late January, consisting of surface hoar, facets, and/or crust, exists roughly 80 to 150 cm below the surface.
The remainder of the snowpack is well consolidated, with no significant layers of concern.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Friday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
