Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency, especially at treeline.
Adopt a conservative approach by sticking to low-consequence terrain.
Moderate and gusty winds will likely form wind slabs in localized open terrain and near ridge tops. Watch for newly formed and reactive small slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain. Slabs in motion may step down to deeper weak layers, resulting in large avalanches.
Triggering persistent slabs avalanches will remain possible as they are overlying a widespread weak layer. Use extra caution where the snowpack varies from thick to thin, near rock outcrops and convexities. Larger-than-expected avalanches are possible due to the presence of a deeper weak layer.
Very few natural occurrences were reported recently, but where avalanches did occur naturally, slabs are ready for triggering. Earlier this week, a large rider-triggered avalanche (size 2) was reported near Sun Peaks. The avalanche released from a persistent weak layer on a thin-thick steep roll.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
About 10-15 cm of light snow is overlying 25 cm of dense storm snow. Under it, there is a wide variety of surfaces; sugary faceted grains, small surface hoar crystals or hard wind-packed snow. Bonding to the old surface may not be strong.
A buried weak layer from November lies 70 to 120 cm below the surface. There is a real potential for small avalanches to step down to this deeper layer.
The majority of the snowpack is faceted, with roughly 120 cm found at treeline and less below treeline.
A stronger coastal system will spread light snowfalls into the region until late Friday through the weekend. An upper ridge will be bringing widespread subsidence, and therefore fair weather conditions are expected for Monday.
Friday night
Cloudy, isolated flurries 2-5 cm, southwesterly ridge winds up to 40 km/h, treeline temperatures -5° C. Freezing level around 500 m.
Saturday
Mainly cloudy, isolated flurries, northwesterly ridge winds up to 30 km/h, treeline temperatures -1° C. Freezing level around 750 m.
Sunday
Mainly cloudy, isolated flurries, northwesterly ridge winds up to 20 km/h, treeline temperatures -3° C. Freezing level around 500 m.
Monday
Mainly sunny, no precipitation, southwesterly ridge winds at 20 km/, treeline temperatures around -8 °C. Freezing level at valley bottom.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
