Avalanche danger will increase through the day as new snow and wind form heavy storm slabs at upper elevations and rain soaks the snow surface at lower elevations.
New snow and wind are forming fresh storm slabs at upper elevations. Storm slabs may become increasingly reactive through the day with rising temperatures.
Loose wet avalanches will become increasingly likely at lower elevations as rain soaks the upper snowpack.
A few wind slab avalanches were reported east of Prince George on Thursday. They were skier-controlled size 1.5 on steep north-facing convex rolls, running on the January facet layer.
Observations are limited in the region. If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
20-40 cm of new snow is forecast to fall by the end of the day Saturday. The new snow falls over recent snow that has seen some redistribution by wind at upper elevations, and moist or crusty surfaces at lower elevations.
A layer of facets is now buried 40-80 cm deep. This layer has been observed to be bonding recently but the significant new snow load may have a destabilizing effect in the short term.
The mid snowpack is generally strong and well bonded including a prominent crust buried 50 to 90 cm deep below 1400 m.
Friday night
15-20 cm of new snow. Southwest alpine wind 50-60 km/h. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with 10-15 cm of new snow. Southwest alpine wind 50-60 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Sunday
15-20 mm of rain or mixed precip overnight then clearing to a mix of sun and cloud. Southwest alpine wind 40-50 km/h. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.
Monday
Mostly sunny. Southwest alpine wind 80-90 km/h. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
