Wind slab avalanches in steep alpine terrain are the main concern as there are no significant changes in the weather until the weekend.
Expect to find increasingly deep and potentially reactive wind slabs as you gain elevation. This problem is likely most pronounced on the eastern slopes of the region.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, moderate wind from the northwest, alpine temperature drop to -12 C.
THURSDAY: Increasing cloud with isolated flurries in the late afternoon, light to moderate wind from the northwest, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.
FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with storm approaching in the evening, light wind from the northwest, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.
SATURDAY: Periods of moderate snowfall with 5-20 cm possible, moderate wind from the southwest, alpine high temperature around -10 C.
No new avalanches have been reported since the weekend. A natural avalanche cycle over the weekend resulted in several large (size 2-2.5) slab avalanches, including some in the Elk Valley that appear to have run on deeply buried weak layers (see photos in this MIN report). These avalanche look similar to the avalanches reported in the same area on January 16 (in this MIN report), suggesting this problem will continue to resurface during stormy periods.
Variable amounts of wind affected snow sits above a widespread rain crust that exists up to roughly 2100 m. The Elk Valley has 5-15 cm of snow above the crust and the eastern slopes have 15-30 cm above the crust. A well consolidated mid-pack overlies generally weak basal facets, that may be possible to trigger in isolated shallow rocky start zones.
