Avoid rocky or wind loaded features where the snowpack varies from thick to to thin. This is where buried weak layers can most likely triggered.
Read the latest forecaster blog for more information on managing buried weak layers.
Watch for wind loaded terrain features from southerly winds. Back off slopes that sounds drum-like and hollow. Avalanches triggered in wind-loaded terrain could step down to deeper weak layers, creating larger than expected avalanches.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally weak, facetted and contains multiple buried weak layers. A layer of facets, surface hoar and/or crust buried 30 to 60 cm deep continues to produce test results that indicate it could be triggered by riders. Avalanches may be larger than you expect due to the depth of buried weak layers.
No new reports since Friday, when a natural size 1.5 wind slab was reported on a west facing slope in the Cariboos.
No recent avalanche activity has been reported on the persistent weak layers in the region. However, spooky snowpack test results continue to support a conservative approach to terrain.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Firm surfaces and wind slabs may exist in wind-exposed terrain features. Elsewhere, 30 to 60 cm of settled snow sits over a generally weak, facetted snowpack with multiple buried weak layers.
Two layers of greatest concern:
A layer of facets, crust and surface hoar that was buried around Christmas and found around 30 to 60 cm deep.
A layer of large, weak facets buried in November and found near the bottom of the snowpack. This layer is likely most problematic in alpine terrain, where shallower avalanches could scrub down to these basal facets. These layers may persist for some time, as described in our Forecasters' blog.
Snowpack depths are roughly 100 to 175 cm at treeline.
Sunday night
Up to 5 cm of new snow in the Cariboos. Moderate southerly winds easing by morning. Alpine low of -6 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Light to moderate southerly wind. Alpine highs of -3. Freezing levels reach 1000 m in the south.
Tuesday
Flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. Moderate southerly wind. Alpine high of -3. Freezing level 500-700 m.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. Light southerly wind. Alpine high of -5. Freezing level valley bottom.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
