South Columbia

Northerly winds and periods of convective flurries have created wind slabs in the alpine.

Good

Sunny and dry for Wednesday and Thursday with freezing levels around 1500 m and light winds. Cloud and possible flurries for Friday as freezing levels rise above 2000 m and winds increase to moderate westerlies.

Reports from Monday and Tuesday morning include widespread dry loose sloughing up to Size 1.5 in steep terrain. Slope cutting also produced several Size 1 storm slabs and wind slabs.

There is quite a bit of variability across the region in regards to new snow amounts, which is generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface is also variable and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.