The snowpack may take a while to equilibrate to the recent snow load. Conservative terrain travel is essential at this time until we have clear evidence that buried weak layers have stabilized.
Weak layers of surface hoar and/or faceted grains overly a hard melt-freeze crust around 50 to 100 cm deep. The likelihood of triggering these layers will remain likely as it stabilizes from the recently added snow load.
The recent 30 to 40 cm of snow may take a bit longer to bond to the snowpack. The snow fell with strong and variable wind, so deep and touchy deposits are likely found near ridges too. Don't let good visibility lure you into dangerous avalanche terrain.
Thursday night: Clear skies, moderate southwest wind, freezing level valley bottom.
Friday: Sun and cloud, light southwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level valley bottom.
Saturday: Sun and cloud, moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1000 m.
Sunday: 10-20 cm new snow, strong southwest wind, alpine temperature -1 C, freezing level 1800 m.
Many storm and persistent slab avalanches have been observed this week across the region. They were generally large (size 2), on west, north, and east aspects, 20 to 70 cm thick, and between 2000 and 2300 m. The likelihood of triggering the layers described in the snowpack summary remains.
A hefty storm impacted the region Monday, with around 30 to 40 cm of snow accumulation. Strong wind accompanied the storm, blowing from variable directions. Expect to find storm and wind slabs across the region until they bond to the snowpack.
This snow is loading two weak layers around 50 to 100 cm deep. The layers are composed of feathery surface hoar and sugary faceted grains and they overly a hard melt-freeze crust. There has already been substantial avalanche activity on this layer from natural and human triggers. This layer remains a major concern, as humans may be able to trigger large and destructive avalanches on it. There has been less avalanche activity reported west of Castlegar but a similar snowpack exists so the possibility remains.
Another crust with associated faceted grains may be found near the base of the snowpack. There haven't been recent avalanches reported on this layer but it remains on our radar. The most likely place to trigger it would be from shallow, rocky terrain.
