North Columbia

Be cautious of reactive deposits of new snow around ridges and in lee terrain. If the sun shines or the snowpack turns moist, the likelihood of triggering loose wet avalanches will increase, especially in areas with fresh snow.

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear / southwest wind, 10-15 km/h / alpine low -5 C / freezing level valley bottomTUESDAY: Cloudy with sunny breaks and isolated flurries, trace accumulation / southwest wind, 25-35 km/h / alpine high 0 C / freezing level 1800 mWEDNESDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries, up to 5 cm accumulation / southwest wind, 25-35 gusting to 50 km/h / alpine high 0 C / freezing level 2100 mTHURSDAY: Cloudy with scattered wet flurries, up to 10 cm / southwest wind, 25-45 km/h / alpine high +2 C / freezing level 2300 m

On Sunday, two size 2 storm slab avalanches were triggered by skiers on east aspects at 2200m. A group of skiers remote triggered a size 2 storm slab avalanche from 50 m away, failing on a southeast slope at 2250 m. One natural size 2 storm slab avalanche was observed on a steep, north aspect between 2100-2550 m. Late Saturday, storm snow was sloughing in steep terrain with skier traffic and gaining cohesion.

15-40 cm fell around the region since Saturday, in the alpine new snow has been redistributed by wind in exposed areas. The new snow accumulated over a melt freeze crust on most aspects. On north-facing terrain above 2000 m, the new snow accumulated over another 20-30 cm wind-affected snow from early April, in isolated areas surface hoar may now be buried 30-65 cm. Older wind slabs sitting on surface hoar might still be sensitive to human triggers. Below treeline snow is disappearing rapidly. Sun and rising freezing levels are warming the snowpack and settling new snow, the likelihood of loose wet avalanches will increase as heat penetrates into the snowpack.