Watch for changing conditions over the day. Fresh snow and wind will build wind slabs at higher elevations.
Wind slabs may exist where new snow is available for transport by southwest winds. Watch for reactivity on north and east facing slopes, especially near ridgelines.
Operators report chunks of cornice falling during recent warm and sunny weather, they have not entrained snow on the slope below to trigger an avalanche but remain hazardous on their own.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Light accumulations of storm snow will form deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes at treeline and above. New snow will sit over previous wind affected surfaces at higher elevations on shaded aspects, faceted snow and surface hoar in sheltered areas, and over a melt freeze crust on south facing slopes and at low elevations.
The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled. The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. This layer has not produced recent avalanche activity in this area, but professionals are still watching for signs of it becoming active again. Thin snowpack areas (like rocky start zones) should still be avoided as weak layers sit closer to the surface here.
Friday Night
Cloudy with flurries delivering up to 5 cm. Freezing levels remain around 500 m, Moderate to strong southwest winds.
Saturday
Cloudy, 5-15 cm of snow favors the Fernie area. Freezing level rises to 1500 m, alpine temperatures of -5 °C. Moderate westerly wind gusting 60 km/h.
Sunday
Cloudy with light snowfall delivering around 5 cm before tapering off. Freezing levels around 1300 m, alpine temperature around -7 °C. Light southwest winds.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with light and variable winds. Up to 5 cm snowfall possible.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
