Choose sheltered, low-consequence terrain. Recently formed wind slabs along with a chance of buried weak layers necessitate a conservative approach.
Recently formed wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggering at upper elevations.
Wind slabs have the potential to step down to buried weak layers, resulting in larger-than-expected avalanches.
In the Invermere area, weak faceted snow at the base of the snowpack remains a concern. Avalanches have occurred on steep, smooth north-facing slopes where the snowpack is shallow and weak.
Multiple wind slab avalanches were reported on Saturday up to size 1.5, both skier and explosive triggered. All these avalanches occurred in alpine terrain, primarily on north-facing terrain.
10 to 20 cm of recent snow has been redistributed in deeper deposits in lee-facing terrain at higher elevations due to southwest winds.
The mid-snowpack may hold a weak surface hoar or facets layer on shaded slopes and a sun crust on south-facing slopes, buried 30 to 60 cm deep.
Near Invermere, the snowpack base is weak, with faceted snow over an October crust. This layer likely exists region-wide but has only shown signs of instability near Invermere.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
