Natural avalanche activity has slowed down, but human triggered avalanches remain likely, especially in wind loaded areas and at lower elevations where a buried surface hoar layer has produced avalanches recently.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT - Clear periods / northeast winds 10-15 km/h / alpine low temperature near -14TUESDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / northeast winds 10-15 km/h / alpine high temperature near -13WEDNESDAY - Mainly sunny / northwest winds 15-25 km/h / alpine high temperature near -15THURSDAY - Cloudy with flurries, 5 cm / southwest winds, 15-35 km/h / alpine high temperature near -12
Avalanche Summary
Natural avalanche activity slowed down to some degree on Sunday. Several natural avalanches to size 2, explosives triggered avalanches to size 2.5 and human triggered avalanches to size 2 were reported. Several of these were triggered remotely (from a distance) and failed on a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January.This
MIN report of an avalanche in the Slocan area illustrates the continued reactivity of the mid January layer.Widespread avalanche activity was reported on Friday and Saturday. Numerous natural and explosives triggered avalanches to size 3, and human triggered avalanches to size 2 were reported. Many of these avalanches were triggered remotely (from a distance) and failed on the mid January layer.
Snowpack Summary
20-70 cm of recent new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent winds have formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions. A persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January is now buried 40-90cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below.
kdevine,
Avalanche Canada
