Use extra caution around steep and open slopes. A buried weak layer has potential to produce large avalanches at lower elevations, while wind slabs exist at higher elevations.
Monitor changes in the most recent low density snow. It may be blown into unstable slabs in wind affected terrain or run as small dry loose avalanches in steep terrain.
A weak layer of surface hoar is buried 80-120 cm deep and has produced numerous human triggered avalanches over the past week. Steep open slopes at and below treeline should be approached cautiously.
SUNDAY NIGHT: Isolated flurries with up to 5 cm of low density snow, strong wind from the north in the valleys and moderate wind in the alpine, alpine temperatures drop to -25 C.
MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -22 C.
TUESDAY: Mostly sunny, light wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -25 C.
WEDNESDAY: Sunny, light wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -25 C.
Over the weekend accumulations of low density snow resulted in several small slab and dry loose avalanches (size 1). There have also been ongoing reports of large persistent slab avalanches being reactive to human triggering over the past week. These avalanches have failed on a surface hoar layer roughly 100 cm below the surface and found between elevations of 1200 to 2100 m (and primarily on north and east aspects). Most recently, a large size 3 avalanche on this layer was remotely triggered in the Selkirks on Saturday. Another large persistent slab avalanche was triggered by a snowmobiler in Clemina on Friday (see the photo in this MIN report). The recent pattern of activity suggests this problem remains a serious concern in the North Columbias.
Low density snow continues to accumulate, with 20-40 cm of fresh light snow on the surface. A short lived period of strong northerly wind on Sunday night could transport snow and form wind slabs in unusual places. Otherwise cold temperatures and easing winds should preserve low density snow in most places. A layer of surface hoar is now buried 80-120 cm below the surface and continues to be a concern across the region. A facet/crust layer from late November lingers near the bottom of the snowpack and has occasionally been reactive in isolated shallow snowpack areas.
