Storm slab avalanches will become more likely throughout the day as the new snow accumulates and buried the surface hoar crystals and the melt-freeze crust.
A storm slab avalanche problem will develop throughout the day as the new snow accumulates and buried the surface hoar crystals and the melt-freeze crust.
The weather pattern is changing as the upper ridge of high pressure over B.C. has flatten allowing the Pacific system to move over the province.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace of precipitation, 20-25 km/h southwesterly winds, low alpine temperature -7 C with freezing level at valley bottom.
SUNDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5 to 10 cm during the day and 10 to 15 cm overnight, 20-25 km/h southwesterly winds, high alpine temperature -5 C with freezing level at valley bottom.
MONDAY: Early-morning snowfall then clearing, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 30-50 km/h northwesterly winds, high alpine temperature -8 C with freezing level at valley bottom.
TUESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation, 30-40 km/h northwesterly winds, high alpine temperature -10 C with freezing level at valley bottom.
No recent avalanches have been reported.
Alpine terrain has variable wind effect. Surface hoar crystals are found on the snow surface in sheltered areas and a melt-freeze crust on solar aspects. These will become important layers to track as they get buried by new snow.
There are several other crust and surface hoar layers buried 20-40 cm deep. These layers have shown variable results in snowpack tests and in many areas do not currently present as a problem.
A crust and facet layer near the bottom of the snowpack (100 to 200 cm deep) has been responsible for sporadic avalanche activity since early December, but is not a concern under the current weather conditions.
