Wind slabs remain possible following recent snow and strong alpine winds.
Significant uncertainty remains about how recent rapid weather changes have affected the snowpack.
Snowfall and recent strong southerly winds have formed widespread wind slabs at treeline and above. Cool temperatures may prolong their reactivity into Monday and beyond.
Early reports from the Whistler area on Sunday morning suggest touchy wind slab conditions, with exposive control producing widespread wind slab avalanches above 1800 m, up to size 2.
Unsettled and cool conditions on Monday could provide light snow at all elevations.
Above roughly 2000 m, 10 to 20 cm of snow on Saturday was accompanied by strong to extreme southerly winds. At lower elevations, any new snow will fall atop a thin crust or moist snow following rain on Saturday.
A crust with facets buried in early February lies approximately 60 to 120 cm below the surface. This layer has not produced any avalanches to date, but the current storm may add significant stress and provide more clarity on its reactivity.
The remainder of the snowpack appears generally well settled and bonded.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
