Watch for new wind slabs building throughout the day.
The best riding conditions are likely in sheltered treeline terrain.
New wind slabs could form throughout the day. They may form further down slope than expected during periods of strong wind.
Over the past few days several small wind slabs, dry loose avalanches, and natural cornice failures were observed. Avalanches have generally been small and limited to steep terrain.
By Friday afternoon another 5 cm is expected to fall with moderate to strong southwest wind, forming deeper deposits on north and east aspects. A crust exists on or near the surface on previously sun exposed slopes and all aspects below 1500 m.
A thick crust is buried 30 to 70 cm deep, but may remain exposed in wind-scoured alpine terrain. It extends up to at least 1500 m in the Rockies, 2000 m in the Cariboos, and 2300 m in the North Monashees.
Below the crust, the snowpack is strong and well bonded.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 4 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
