Recent precipitation fell as snow at higher elevations and a mix of snow and rain at lower elevations. Watch for signs of instability, such as cracking, whumpfing, and avalanche activity -- each elevation band will be different.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Saturday
Weather Forecast
We're looking at seasonal temperatures and generally light snowfall accumulations in a north / easterly flow pattern. The very north of the region may see 10-15cm snow through Saturday. SATURDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5-10 cm with more possible in northern sections of the region, light northeasterly winds, alpine temperature -1 C, freezing level 1500 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, light to moderate northerly winds, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1100 m.MONDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, moderate westerly winds, alpine temperature +1 C, freezing level rising to 1600 m.
Avalanche Summary
Many wet loose and dry loose avalanches to size 1.5 were reported on sunny aspects on Friday. Isolated natural storm slab activity to size 2 was also noted on east facing fan features, likely running during Thursday's storm.
Snowpack Summary
Around 20 to 30 mm of water equivalent fell in the region on Thursday into Friday. This would have fallen as snow at higher elevations (up to 25 cm of snow) and partially as rain at low elevations. This precipitation fell on a thick melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects from recent warm temperatures and rain, except for possibly higher elevations on north aspects. The upper snowpack may still be wet at low elevations.A weak layer of surface hoar buried mid-February exists in parts of the region around 50 to 80 cm deep. The lower snowpack is weak with a combination of crusts and facets near the bottom of the snowpack that are widespread.
mgrist,
Avalanche Canada
