New storm slabs are expected to form on Saturday night. Pay close attention to how much snow falls in your riding area, and be prepared to back off to mellow terrain.
Weather Forecast
Saturday night and early Sunday morning: 10-25cm of new snow / Strong southwest winds / Alpine temperatures at -8. Sunday: Generally clearing skies / Light north winds / Alpine temperatures at -12. Monday: Clear skies / Light variable winds / Alpine temperatures at -12. Tuesday: Clear skies / Light north winds / Alpine temperatures at -14
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche observations have been reported but new snowfall and wind from Friday has likely created fresh storm slabs at higher elevations in the South Coast mountains. Any rainfall on new snow at lower elevations may have triggered loose wet avalanches on steeper terrain. If you have been out in the mountains, please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
15-20cm of new snow and strong winds have formed fresh storm slabs at alpine and treeline elevations while rain may have saturated the snowpack at lower elevations. At higher elevations, the new snow overlies existing storm slabs which are rapidly strengthening. Total snowpack depths are likely around 160cm at treeline and over 2 metres at higher elevations. Aside from instabilities in storm snow, warm temperatures are promoting rapid settlement and strengthening of the snowpack.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.