Avoid areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin and triggering weak layer is more likely.
The snowpack is complex and contains multiple layers of concern.
Strong outflow (northeast) winds have formed wind slabs on exposed features at all elevations. Cold temperatures may be keeping slabs from bonding to the loose, dry snow below. Be especially cautious near ridge crests and rollovers.
Up to a meter of snow overlies a weak layer, a crust and surface hoar layer, formed in mid-January. This layer may still be reactive to human triggering on slopes where the upper snowpack feels stiff or slabby.
A weak layer buried 150 to 300 cm remains a concern. Avoid shallow rocky areas where triggering this layer is more likely. If triggered the resulting avalanche would be very large and destructive.
On Sunday, a natural, size 3, deep persistent slab avalanche was reported in the Kispiox region. This avalanche is suspected to have occurred on February 8. The avalanche was 200 cm deep and occurred on a north aspect at 1670 m.
On Saturday, a skier accidentally triggered a deep persistent slab, size 2, on a northeast aspect at 1700 m. The crown of the avalanche was 60 cm deep. This avalanche ran on the early December weak layer.
Previous strong northeast outflow wind has scour windward terrain and loaded south and west facing slopes at all elevations. In sheltered terrain 30 to 60 cm of faceted snow overlies a crust and layer of surface hoar from late January.
Another layer of surface hoar was buried near the middle of January and can be found 50 to 100 cm deep.
A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 150 to 300 cm. This layer remains a concern in this region.
Monday Night
Clear. 10 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C, potential for strong temperature inversion with a high of -10 °C in the alpine.
Tuesday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h norht ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C, potential for strong temperature inversion with a high of -5 °C in the alpine.
Wednesday
Sunny. 15 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C, potential for inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.
Thursday
Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
