As you move above the rain crust, investigate the bond of the recent snow to the layers below.
Storm slabs may still be rider-triggered in areas without a surface crust. Deeper and more dangerous deposits will be found in areas lee to the wind.
A very large (size 3.5) storm slab avalanche was reported near Kelowna on a north east aspect at 2200 meters. This avalanche was triggered utilizing explosives and was 500 meters wide and ran 600 meters in length.
Numerous other small to large (size 1-2) storm slab avalanches where reported on mostly north aspect terrain.
Your observations and experiences are important for all users, Please consider posting a MIN if you head into the backcountry.
Above 1500 m up to 25 cm of new snow overlies a thin rain crust that formed earlier in the week. Below the crust, another 40 cm of storm snow exists.
A layer of surface hoar and/or faceted grains and a hard melt-freeze crust from mid-November can be found down 40 -80 cm in the snowpack. Weak faceted grains may extend to the base of the snowpack, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin.
Snow depths at treeline vary from about 50 to 100 cm and decrease rapidly at lower elevations.
Friday Night
Cloudy. 4 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 800 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 4 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2100 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 10 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
