Carefully evaluate conditions before committing to big, open, or steep slopes. Back off if you find signs of instability like shooting cracks, whumpfing noises, or recent avalanches.
These wind slabs have been less reactive in the last few days, but could still be triggered if you hit the wrong spot.
Watch out for fatter looking pockets or pillows of snow, especially right at ridge-crests, or places where the terrain rolls away from you.
Weather model predictions have changed since yesterday. Forecasted snowfall and wind have decreased. The weather forecast is a bit uncertain as this system moves quickly down the coast and across the province.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy. 0-2 cm of snow expected. Light variable winds. Alpine temperatures around -11 °C.
Saturday: Partly cloudy. 0-4 cm of snow expected. Moderate northeast winds. Treeline high around -12 °C.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, increasing cloud in the afternoon. No new snow expected. Light variable winds. Treeline high around -15 °C.
Monday: Mostly sunny. Moderate northeast wind, trending to strong northerlies at higher elevations. Treeline high around -10 °C.
No new avalanches were reported on Thursday or Friday.
Wind slabs formed on all aspects in exposed terrain are expected to remain sensitive to human triggers.
Check out our forecaster blog for some thoughts on the snowpack at this point in the season. Persistent weak layers are still on our minds.
On Wednesday, one isolated size 2 avalanche was reported in the far south of the region, possibly started by a cornice fall.
5-10 cm of recent, low density snow overlies wind slabs. Given the variable nature of the recent wind, slabs should be expected on all aspects in exposed terrain. In sheltered areas this new snow covered Surface hoar up to 4 mm. This layer is not expected to produce avalanches at the moment, but we'll be keeping an eye on it as more snow falls on top.
Check out this post on the Mountain Information Network (MIN) from our Northwest field team for a great summary of the snowpack and conditions at Hankin-Evelyn on Thursday.
An early season crust and facets can be found near the base of the snowpack. This layer now appears to have gone dormant through most of the region but could still be reactive in some shallow snowpack areas.
Snowpack depth at treeline typically ranges from 100-200 cm, with higher values in the western part of the region and tapering to the east. In the far southwest of the region, the height of snow is closer to 300 cm.
