Watch for signs of instability in wind-loaded terrain features. Wind slabs are likely triggerable by riders.
Wind has transported recent snow into wind slabs on north to east aspects at upper elevations. Wind slabs sit over a weak layer of facets and may be sensitive to trigger and propagate widely.
A few rider-triggered wind slabs were reported east of Prince George on Tuesday.
Observations are limited in the region. If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
20-40 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by wind at upper elevations. It sits poorly bonded to underlying facets. At lower elevations, a thin crust or moist snow may be found at the surface.
A prominent crust is found 30 to 50 cm deep. It extends up to 1900 m in the Cariboos and up to 1400 m around Pine Pass. In the Sugarbowl area, a layer of small surface hoar or facets has been observed near the crust.
The midpack is generally strong and well bonded, except for areas east of the Divide, where the snowpack is shallow and faceted with depths of 60 to 100 cm around treeline.
Thursday night
Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing up to 5 cm. Southwest alpine wind 50 km/h. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing a trace of snow. Southwest alpine wind 50-60 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Saturday
15 cm at Pine Pass overnight, 5 cm elsewhere then a mix of sun and cloud with flurries bringing up to 5 cm over the day. Southwest alpine wind 60 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.
Sunday
10-20 cm overnight then a mix of sun and cloud with flurries bringing up to 5 cm over the day. Southwest alpine wind 60 km/h. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
