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.
Summary
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.
rbuhler,
Avalanche Canada
