Reactive wind slabs are present at higher elevations. This is a particular concern around ridge crests in steep, rocky terrain where weak layers deeper in the snowpack are most prominent.
Recent snow has been redistributed by southwest wind into reactive wind slabs at higher elevations. Wind slabs may be especially reactive in shallow, rocky terrain where they likely sit atop weak faceted layers.
Buried surface hoar or facets may pose a risk on north-facing slopes, while a buried sun crust could be reactive in south-facing areas.
In the Invermere area, weak facets and a crust at the base of the snowpack remain a concern.
Recent avalanche activity across the region has been dominated by wind slabs up to size 2.5. Primarily occurring in steep, alpine terrain on a variety of aspects. Check out the photo and MIN report of a large, skier-triggered wind slab in the dogtooth.
One explosive-triggered size 2.5 avalanche was reported in the north of the region on Sunday. It failed on a buried weak layer, producing a crown up to 100 cm deep. This occurred in very steep, rocky, alpine terrain.
20 to 40 cm of recent snow continues to settle and bond to underlying surfaces. Recent southwest winds have redistributed this snow into deeper deposits at higher elevations.
A layer buried in early December is found roughly 20 to 90 cm below the surface. This layer varies, consisting of weak surface hoar or facetted crystals on shaded slopes and a sun crust with facets on south-facing slopes.
The base of the snowpack is made up of a thick crust and facets in many areas. The only location where this basal layer has shown signs of instability is in the Invermere area.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8°C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Thursday
Partly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Friday
Partly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
