Use careful route-finding to stay on low-consequence slopes at all elevations.
Storm slabs will remain reactive longer than usual due to the underlying weak layer.
Storm slabs are expected to remain reactive due to the underlying layer of large surface hoar and a crust. Use extra caution on steep and unsupported slopes at all elevations, where human-triggering is likely, even on small features.
On Saturday, numerous wind and storm slabs (size 1 to 1.5) were triggered by skiers and sledders in the region. A few large natural slabs (size 2.5 to 3) occurred near Revelstoke with a significant propagation along an alpine ridgetop from a north-facing slope.
These avalanches were triggered on a variety of aspects in the alpine and treeline, they failed on the late January surface hoar layer mentioned in the snowpack summary.
20 to 40 cm of snow now overlies the late January surface hoar/crust layer. This new snow has been accompanied by moderate to strong south and west wind, meaning that the crust will likely remain on the surface on southerly aspects and deeper deposits will be found on north and east aspects.
The late January surface hoar is largest on sheltered treeline and below treeline features and may not exist on exposed terrain in the alpine.
The snow surface is likely become moist up to 1900 meters and on south aspects due to warm temperatures from Saturday.
The mid and lower snowpack is well settled.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy. Up to 2 cm of snow at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Sunday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Monday
Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1°C. Freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
