It's a good day to make conservative terrain choices.
Storm slabs will remain reactive, and remote-triggering is likely, even on small features.
Additional snowfalls will add to the reactive storm slabs, overlying a layer of large surface hoar and a crust. Use extra caution on steep and unsupported slopes at all elevations, even on small features where triggering is likely.
On Saturday, numerous wind and storm slabs (size 1 to 1.5) were triggered by skiers and sledders in the region. A few large natural slabs (size 2.5 to 3) occurred near Revelstoke with significant propagation along an alpine ridgetop from a north-facing slope.
These avalanches were triggered on a variety of aspects in the alpine and treeline, they failed on the late January surface hoar layer mentioned in the snowpack summary.
An additional 10 cm of snow is expected on Sunday, bringing a total of 30 to 50 cm of snow over the late January surface hoar/crust layer. This new snow has been accompanied by moderate to strong south and west wind, meaning that the crust will likely remain on the surface on southerly aspects and deeper deposits will be found on north and east aspects.
The late January surface hoar is largest on sheltered treeline and below treeline features and may not exist on exposed terrain in the alpine.
The snow surface is likely become moist up to 1900 meters and on south aspects due to warm temperatures from Saturday.
The mid and lower snowpack is well settled.
Sunday Night
Cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow at treeline. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Monday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow at treeline. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1°C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and clouds. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
