Watch for changing conditions as you gain elevation
Fresh and reactive wind slabs may form in terrain exposed to stronger winds
Watch for active wind transport - wind slabs are most reactive during their formation. Slabs may slide easily on the rain crust below.
Avalanche activity has tapered since the storm. Wind-affected snow has been noted around ridgelines, stubborn to rider triggers. And loose dry sluffing has been common from steep but sheltered terrain.
Looking forward, greatest concern is for any fresh wind slab development.
15-35 cm of wind effected settling snow can be found at higher elevations.
At treeline and below treeline, this recent storm snow sits on a rain crust. The crust extends to mountain top in the Monashees, but alpine observations in the Selkirks are limited. Reports suggest this interface is bonding reasonably well and only producing sluff in steep terrain where the snow above isn't wind affected.
Surface hoar may also exist at this depth in areas that saw minimal rainfall during the storm, particularly in the far northern part of the region.
The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled, dense, and generally strong. Treeline snow depths range from 100 to 150 cm.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Thursday
Increasing cloud with flurries beginning late afternoon. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with flurries. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
