Building storm slabs in combination with buried weak layers necessitates good travel habits and lower-consequence terrain choices.
Buried weak layers of surface hoar and facets on a crust are now buried 40 to 100 cm deep. Increased load from new snow may make these layers more reactive. Be especially cautious on steep, open slopes at treeline and below.
New snow accompanied by southwest wind will build fresh, reactive storm slabs throughout the day. Pay attention to changing conditions and be especially cautious in wind-loaded areas.
On Tuesday, several skier-triggered storm slabs (size 1) were reported in the Kootenay Pass and Whitewater area. One natural storm slab was reported near Whitewater (size 2). Several skier-triggered persistent slabs (size 1) were reported in the Bonnigtons-MIN.
Looking forward to Thursday, storm slabs are expected to build throughout the day with new snow and wind. Remember that buried weak layers remain a concern, and could become more reactive with increased load.
Up to 30 cm of new snow can be expected by end of day Thursday. Southwest winds will redistribute this new snow, forming deeper deposits on leeward slopes at higher elevations. A crust is present near the surface at lower elevations, with moist snow likely near the valley bottom where precipitation falls as rain.
The upper snowpack continues to settle and bond well following significant snowfall over the last two weeks.
Weak layers of surface hoar or facets and a crust may persist in the mid-snowpack, and snowpack tests continue to indicate potential instability.
The lower snowpack is generally strong and well-bonded.
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy with up to 10 to 20 cm of new snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm of new snow. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with up to 20 cm of new snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
