http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/links/goto_e.asp?destination=Periods of strong solar, combined with an unpredictable layer down ~1m and a busy weekend will make decision making complicated. Avoid exposure to slopes threatened by cornices, that are hammered by the sun, and consider who is above and below you!
Weather Forecast
Today expect flurries to taper off, with increasing sun this afternoon. This will be the first real sun on the slopes since the storm and brief, intense periods of sun may trigger avalanches. S-W winds will load lee slopes. Sun should start out sunny, but we may see more cloud in the afternoon with flurries. Mon should be cloudy with flurries.
Snowpack Summary
Reactive soft slabs have formed. Strong S'ly winds have formed windslabs. Snowpack tests indicate that weaknesses exist within the storm snow as well as on a persistent weak layer down 60-100cm. This layer appears to be most reactive on S'ly aspects, and tests show that avalanches may step down to this layer. Large cornices loom in many areas.
Avalanche Summary
Over the past few days, skiers have been triggering size 1-1.5 avalanches at treeline and above. These soft slabs are generally 10-30cm deep and some are running long distances. Natural avalanches are occurring from steep avalanche paths with start zones that are loaded by S'ly winds. These size 2.5 to 3 avalanches ran well onto the avalanche fans.
Confidence
Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.