Slab conditions are the main concern right now. Use extra caution anywhere that the surface snow feels firm or slabby.
Various weak layers exist in the top metre of the snowpack. These layers could be triggered anywhere a cohesive slab of snow exists above them. Where the snow remains soft, the likelihood of triggering a slab avalanche is low.
On Sunday, a skier-triggered size 1 avalanche occurred around treeline on a south aspect in the North Monashees. The avalanche failed on buried surface hoar, 25 cm deep.
Since an avalanche cycle at the start of February, reports of avalanche activity have continued to decrease.
Surface snow is facetting under cold temperatures, and surface hoar continues to grow. Wind-affected surfaces can be found in exposed terrain, while snow remains soft in wind-sheltered terrain.
A weak layer of large surface hoar crystals, faceted snow, and sun crust was buried by roughly 30 to 50 cm of snow in late January. This covers a relatively weak mid-pack with numerous other layers of faceted grains, surface hoar, and/or crusts that formed throughout January.
The lower snowpack is well-settled and strong.
Monday Night
Clear skies. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Thursday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
