Old wind slabs may be difficult to trigger but could still be reactive to riders. Seek out areas with soft snow on the surface that are sheltered from the wind.
Recent winds have built slabs at and below ridgetops in atypical areas. These slabs are likely to be more reactive where they overlie a weak layer of surface hoar and/or a crust.
North winds early last week have driven a natural windslab cycle in mostly south facing terrain. Avalanches averaged between size 1-2 with only a few size 2.5 avalanches reported.
This activity has tapered off and no new avalanches have been reported over the weekend.
Last week's strong northerly winds created wind slabs in exposed areas at treeline and above on south and westerly faces.
10-20 cm of snow fell in the region last week, adding to about 20-30 cm of older storm snow. Collectively, this snow sits on a crust up to 1400 m - 1900 m. In parts of the Cariboos, this snow may also overlie a weak layer of surface hoar.
Two more layers of surface hoar may be found buried between 90 and 150 cm at treeline. The likelihood of triggering these layers is low, but is most likely in shallow rocky areas at upper treeline.
The current snowpack is shallow and variable in structure throughout the region.
Sunday Night
Clear, with no new snow, northwest alpine wind 20-50 km/h, treeline temperature high -28 °C.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud, with no new snow, west alpine wind 20-50 km/h, treeline temperature high -20 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, variable alpine wind 20-30 km/h, treeline temperature -16 °C.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, east alpine wind 40-70 km/h, treeline temperature -18 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
