Avoid north-facing, alpine slopes where triggering persistent weak layers is most likely.
A weak layer of crust and/or facets is buried 30 to 60 cm deep. Recent avalanches on this layer suggest it remains a concern, especially on northerly slopes where a melt-freeze crust is absent beneath the new snow.
New snow and wind may have built slabs on lee features.
If the sun comes out, it may trigger wet loose avalanches from steep slopes facing the sun.
On Monday, near Kamloops, a natural size 2 glide slab avalanche was reported on a southwest-facing slope at 1500 m.
On Saturday, a rider triggered size 2, persistent slab avalanche was reported. This avalanche occurred on a west facing slope at 2000 m. See MIN for details.
5 to 15 cm of snow covers a melt-freeze crust. The crust exists on all aspects, except possibly high-elevation north-facing slopes. This overlies 30 to 60 cm of snow that sits above a crust in many areas, or surface hoar/facets in wind-sheltered areas.
A weak layer, buried in late January, consists of surface hoar/facets or a crust is found down 50 to 90 cm. This remains a lingering concern. Below this, the mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and strong.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level reaching 1600 m.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
