Heavy accumulations are possible as an Arctic front sits over the region. Be prepared to dial back your terrain choices.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY: Flurries with accumulations of 5-10 cm / strong west wind / alpine temperatures around -12 C.SATURDAY: Another 5-15 cm of snow / moderate to strong west wind / alpine temperatures around -12 C.SUNDAY: Another 15-30 cm of snow / moderate to strong west wind / alpine temperatures around -10 C.
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, evidence of recent natural activity was reported in various parts of the region. Activity included storm slabs up to size 2 on all aspects and dry loose avalanches in steep terrain. On Tuesday, a small storm slab (size 1.5) was triggered by a skier on a southwest aspect at 1250 m. Some persistent slab activity has been reported on the December weak layer over the past few days as well. Several naturally-triggered size 2 persistent slab avalanches failed naturally at 1200 m in the Howsons on Tuesday. A large naturally-triggered size 3 persistent slab avalanche was reported on an east aspect at 1900 m in the Howsons on Monday. Two large remotely triggered avalanches (size 2.5) were reported on north and west aspects around 1600 m north of Kispiox late last week.
Snowpack Summary
Strong winds have built wind slabs in exposed terrain. 30-60 cm of snow lies over a crust and/or weak feathery surface hoar layer buried in mid-January. The crust exists well into the alpine and the surface hoar can be found in sheltered areas in the lower alpine and treeline elevations. Another two crust / surface hoar layers that formed in December are buried 50-80 cm below the surface. These layers produced sudden results in recent snowpack tests and have been the suspected weak layer in recent large remotely (from a distance) triggered avalanches.
shorton,
Avalanche Canada
