The Smithers area will receive its first significant snowfall in weeks on Monday.
Check the bond between the new snow and the previous surface before committing to avalanche terrain.
New snow throughout the day on Monday will form fresh storm slabs. This new snow will fall on a crust in many places and is not expected to bond well.
While observations have been limited, small pockets of reactive wind slabs may persist atop the widespread crust.
Be sure to post your observations to the MIN if you get out; they are a big help!
10 cm of new snow will have fallen by Monday morning. This snow is falling on a supportive crust that exists on or just below the surface across most terrain, except in some high-alpine areas. Over the last week, southerly winds have redistributed recent snow into deeper pockets at higher elevations, while exposed areas have been scoured back to the crust.
In sheltered terrain near treeline, surface hoar may be present on the crust and buried by recent snow.
There are no current layers of concern in the mid or lower snowpack.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 5 cm of snow. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Monday
Cloudy. 4 to 20 cm of snow. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -23 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
