A highly variable snowpack structure exists throughout the region.
Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected, and avoid shallow rocky terrain where triggering deeper layers is most likely.
Fresh and reactive wind slabs have likely developed on specific north-facing features. Wind slabs may persist longer than normal, as they are overlying a weak layer of surface hoar. Older wind slabs may still be found on various aspects due to last week's variable winds. Be aware that wind slab avalanches could step down to deeper layers.
A layer of surface hoar has been reported down 80 to 100 cm. This layer is likely only a concern in sheltered north-facing terrain. Make sure you read the new forecaster blog to learn more about this year's different snowpack.
The lower snowpack is made up of facets and depth hoar. This layer is likely to be a concern for a prolonged period of time. It is most likely to be triggered in steep, shallow and rocky terrain features or by first triggering a avalanche higher up in the snowpack.
A size 1 wind slab avalanche was remotely triggered by a skier while setting up a skin track on a lee alpine feature near Whitecap Mountain. No other avalanches were reported in the last few days in the region.
Please continue to post your observations and photos to the Mountain Information Network. It helps strengthen our data gathering.
Up to 10 cm of new snow has fallen into the region since Friday. Ongoing southerly winds have scoured south-facing terrain in the alpine. A new layer of surface hoar exists under 10 cm of recent storm snow.
In sheltered terrain, 30 to 50 cm of low-density snow sits over a crust formed in late December. This crust varies in thickness throughout the terrain. In the mid-snowpack, a layer of surface hoar from early December has been observed down 80 to 100 cm on sheltered north-facing terrain.
There is a layer of facets and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack that is still a concern. Snowpack depths around treeline is about 150 cm deep. The snowpack below treeline is very shallow and faceted.
A weak trough will continue to push moisture in the region Saturday night with a southerly flow aloft. On Sunday, another trough will generate periods of light snow until Monday night. Overcast skies and dry conditions are expected Tuesday.
Saturday night
Snow up to 5 cm, moderate south winds easing to light; freezing level around to 1200 m, low of -5C at treeline.
Sunday
Snow up to 5 cm expected in the afternoon, southerly winds increasing to 45 km/h by the end of the day, freezing level around 1200 m, high of -2C at treeline.
Monday
Cloudy, isolated flurries up to 2 cm, moderate southerly winds gusting to 45 km/h then easing by the end of the day, freezing level around 1000 m, high of -2C at treeline.
Tuesday
Cloudy, no precipitations, light southeasterly winds, freezing levels around 1000 m, high of -4C at treeline.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
