There is a potential for triggering large avalanches at lower elevations due to the presence of a buried weak layer that exists mainly at treeline and below.
Summary
Confidence
High - The weather pattern is stable
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY - Mainly cloudy with light flurries / light southwest winds / alpine high temperature near -15FRIDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / moderate northeast wind / alpine high temperature near -18SATURDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / moderate northeast wind / alpine high temperature near -20
Avalanche Summary
A persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January continues to be reactive to human triggers. This layer is sensitive enough for avalanches to be triggered remotely (from a distance). Human triggered avalanches up to size 2 were reported on both Sunday and Monday. This layer has been the most reactive at treeline and below.Widespread avalanche activity was reported on Saturday. Natural avalanches to size 3 and human triggered avalanches to size 2 were reported. Many of these failed on the mid January persistent weak layer. There is a great MIN report
here detailing the reactivity of the mid January layer in Allen creek on Saturday.Additionally, there are two great MIN reports that outline how reactive the mid January layer was on Friday. They can be found
here and
here.Snowpack Summary
30-60 cm of recent new snow is sitting on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent strong winds have redistributed the new snow and formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions.The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-80 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. It is most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to produce avalanches.
mbender,
Avalanche Canada
