Storm slabs are highly reactive to human-triggering and conservative terrain selection remains critical for the next few days. Extra caution is required on south-facing slopes in the afternoon if the sun pokes out.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY: Cloudy with sunny breaks and light precipitation starting late in the day. Freezing levels reaching 1600 m late in the day with moderate to strong southwesterly ridgetop winds. SATURDAY: Periods of snow bringing another 5-15cm. Freezing levels steady around 2000-2200 m with strong southwesterly ridgetop winds. SUNDAY: Periods of snow. The freezing level is around 1600-1800 m and ridge winds ease to light and variable.
Avalanche Summary
Continued natural and rider-triggered avalanche activity up to size 2 was reported throughout the region on Wednesday. These slides occurred on all aspects, at all elevations, and were generally 30-60 cm deep. Reports from Tuesday include more of the same plus evidence of a widespread natural avalanche cycle that occurred early Monday, primarily in the Monashee Mountains, with avalanches up to Size 3 running on surface hoar buried late February.
Snowpack Summary
40-60 cm thick storm slabs are bonding poorly to on a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar on shady and sheltered slopes. Thicker and touchier wind slabs are lurking throughout exposed terrain at and above treeline. A weak layer of surface hoar and/or a sun crust buried February 21 is now close to a metre below the surface. Where it exists, this layer may become reactive to human triggers as the overlying slab develops. The surface hoar and/or crust layer buried February 10 is likely down over a metre. This layer was less reactive over the weekend with cooler temperatures, but remains a concern for large triggers like cornice falls or a smaller avalanches stepping down. Cornices are large and potentially weak and should be avoided where possible.
pmarshall,
Avalanche Canada
