Loose sluffing of new snow is expected in steep terrain. Use increased caution around terrain traps where consequences of a small sluff could be serious. In the south, moderate alpine winds on Friday may create a wind slabs in lee features.
Confidence
Fair - Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Friday
Weather Forecast
A ridge of high pressure once again dominates conditions in the interior during the forecast period. Friday: A mix of sun and cloud, dry conditions, treeline temperatures around -12, mountain-top winds up to 35 km/h NWSaturday/Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud, dry conditions, treeline temperatures around -15, light NW mountain-top winds
Avalanche Summary
Reports of small natural and human-triggered loose sluffing from steep terrain features.
Snowpack Summary
The upper and mid-snowpack are generally well consolidated and layers are well bonded. However, a facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack remains a concern. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be large, destructive avalanches. This is referred to as a 'low probability, high consequence' event. We are recommending avoiding thin or rocky areas on steep, convex, unsupported slopes. In most areas, a widespread weak layer is now buried by new snow (around 10cm in the northern part of region, 20cm+ in the area around Kimberley). This weak layer consists of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on open south facing slopes, facet grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of any of the above. This layer may become a problem in the future when we finally get more snowfall.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.