New snow falling earlier in the week is being redistributed into lee terrain.
Cold weather is forecast to warm, but is still a concern. Review this blog for strategies for managing the cold.
Recent storm snow requires time to stabilize and bond. Recent moderate to strong winds have redistributed this new snow into lee terrain. In some areas the new snow may be sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar.
On Friday, A large (size 2) skier trigger storm slab on a south east aspect at 2200 m was reported north west of Slocan lake. Near white water a naturally triggered size one avalanche was observed at 2250m on a north aspect. On Thursday a report of a remotely triggered size 1 persistent slab avalanche in the Rossland Range was submitted.
In the past week, as much as 70 cm of snow has accumulated in some areas. This new snow has buried a variety of old surfaces, including surface hoar on sheltered, north-facing terrain and a sun crust on south-facing slopes.
The middle of the snowpack contains a series of old melt freeze-crusts.
A thick crust deep in the snowpack largely protects any weak layers further down in the snowpack from being triggered.
Saturday Night
Clear with no precipitation, northwest alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -24 °C.
Sunday
Sunny with no precipitation, northwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -18 °C.
MondaySunny with no precipitation, northwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -16 °C.
TuesdaySunny with no precipitation, northwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -15 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
