North Columbia

Look for changing conditions and signs of instability as you gain elevation.

Wind slab and surface hoar layers may still be reactive to rider traffic.

Several size 1 skier triggered wind and storm slab avalanches were reported on Friday. No persistent slab avalanches have been reported in this region for about a week however they continue to be reported in neighboring regions.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Recent storm snow has been redistributed into wind slab near ridge crests by southerly winds. Below treeline a new crust is on or near the surface.

The mid pack contains several layers of note; a layer of surface hoar and a crust down 20 to 50 cm, a significant crust from the early December rain event down around 60 cm and a layer of surface hoar down 60 to 100 cm.

The make up of the lower snowpack is variable throughout the region but is generally not concerning at this time.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear skies with valley fog, no new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -12°C.

Sunday

Mostly clear skies with valley fog, no new snow expected,  southeast alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, temperature inversion possible, treeline temperature -8°C.

Monday

Mostly sunny, no new snow expected, south alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, temperature inversion possible, treeline temperature -8°C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow expected, south alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h, temperature inversion possible, treeline temperature -4°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
• Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
• Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.