Dial back your terrain choices if you’re finding more than 20 cm of storm snow. Avoid north-facing alpine slopes, these areas are where triggering persistent weak layers is most likely.
A weak layer of crust and/or facets is buried 30 to 60 cm deep. Recent avalanches on this layer suggest it remains a concern, especially on northerly slopes where a melt-freeze crust is absent beneath the new snow.
Up to 15 cm of snow and moderate southwest winds will build fresh storm slabs on exposed lee facing slopes tomorrow.
On Monday near Kamloops, a natural size 2 glide slab avalanche was reported on a southwest-facing slope at 1500 m.
On Saturday, a rider triggered size 2, persistent slab avalanche was reported. This avalanche occurred on a west facing slope at 2000 m. See MIN for details.
By Wednesday morning, 5 to 15 cm of snow covers a melt-freeze crust. The crust exists on all aspects, except possibly high-elevation north-facing slopes. This overlies 30 to 60 cm of snow that sits above a crust in many areas or surface hoar/facets in wind-sheltered areas.
A weak layer, buried in late January, consists of surface hoar/facets or a crust is found down 50 to 90 cm. This remains a lingering concern. Below this, the mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and strong.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with flurries, 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Thursday
Mainly sunny. 20 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
