Warm temps, sun, and persistent weak layers are creating tricky conditions
Choose conservative low-angle terrain with no overhead hazard.
Check out this forecaster blog on conditions.
Strong to extreme winds have redistributed recent snow, forming reactive wind slabs on lee terrain features and building up cornices. These winds have reportedly affected areas farther downslope than normal due to their strength.
A persistent weak layer consisting of facets over a hard crust formed in late January seems to be waking up and becoming reactive with the warm weather. Avoid overhead hazard, remote triggering is a concern with this layer.
Sun and rising temperatures may melt the surface snow on steep solar affected slopes, creating the potential for wet loose sluffs. Use extra caution on sun-exposed slopes, if the snow surface is moist or wet.
A size 2 persistent slab avalanche was remotely triggered on Saturday off the Coquihalla. See photo below.
We are aware of another emerging avalanche incident off the Coquihalla, northeast of Hope. Further details are not yet available, but will be provided when possible.
If you head out, please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.
Recent snow has been heavily affected by previous strong to extreme southwesterly winds. Expect scoured windward slopes and wind slabs at all elevations on lee slopes.
A melt-freeze crust may be found on sunny slopes and at lower elevations. This surface crust will likely soften with sun and daytime warming.
A persistent weak layer consisting of a crust/ facet layer from late January can be found 40 to 60 cm deep across the region. This layer seems to be getting more reactive with the warm weather.
The snowpack below is strong and well-bonded.
Saturday Night
Clear skies. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Sunday
Sunny. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2600 m.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
