The persistent slab problem is shifting into a low-probability/ high-consequence situation. Be confident in your local snowpack before committing to any big terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Sunday
Weather Forecast
Light snow fall (5-15 cm) is expected on Saturday and Sunday, petering to flurries on Monday, with a chance of sun. The freezing level is around 1500 m by day, falling towards valley floor by night. Winds are generally light.
Avalanche Summary
A handful of recent large avalanches have been reported over the last few days. Many of these have been on north aspects, with the odd event on other aspects. There has also been a number of cornice falls.
Snowpack Summary
Recent squally snow showers have brought 10-25 cm of snow, which has been shifted into wind slabs. This new snow sits above a crust which varies in thickness with elevation. Cornices are large and should be given a respectful berth.Two crust/facet interfaces, formed in March and February, sit about 80-120 cm deep in the snowpack. These weaknesses are becoming more stubborn to trigger, but still react in snowpack tests and have potential for wide propagations and very large avalanches if triggered. Most likely trigger spots would be thin snowpack areas, or with a large load like a cornice fall.Basal facets are on operators' list of concerns. Deep snowpack issues sometimes wake up in the spring, so should not be forgotten.
pgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
