Assess for slab formation if your riding area receives new snow. Terrain management is your best approach at avoiding the persistent slab problem.
New slabs may form where sufficient snow accumulates. Assess for slabs in steep, lee terrain features prior to committing.
A weak layer of faceted grains above a hard melt-freeze crust persists around 80 to 150 cm deep. It is likely only a concern where a thick and hard surface crust doesn't exist. It is most triggerable by humans in thin, rocky alpine terrain.
On Monday a skier triggered a small wind slab on a northeast aspect in alpine terrain. It was 15 cm deep on a 40 degree slope.
The latest persistent slab avalanches occurred late last week in alpine terrain on all aspects during daytime warming and from cornice falls.
The likelihood of similar persistent slab activity is decreased at this time. Human triggering is most likely in thin, rocky alpine areas where the layer is close to the snow surface.
Variable amounts of snow Tuesday night and Wednesday will accumulate at higher elevations, ranging from trace to upwards of 15 cm. On northerly alpine terrain the new snow will fall onto surface hoar crystals that overly soft or wind affect snow. Elsewhere, the snow will fall onto a hard melt-freeze crust.
A widespread crust that formed in early February is buried anywhere from 80 to 150 cm deep. This crust has a weak layer of faceted grains above it that are slowly strengthening.
The remainder of the snowpack is settled.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow and isolated pockets of up to 15 cm possible north of Revelstoke. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
