Although persistent weak layers have become less likely to trigger, the consequences of an avalanche could be high. Conservative terrain selection is highly recommended.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday
Weather Forecast
Saturday night: 5-8cm of new snow / Strong southwest ridgetop winds / Freezing level at about 1500mSunday: Light flurries with possible sunny breaks / Light to moderate ridgetop winds / Freezing level at about 1000mMonday: 8-12cm of snow / Moderate easterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level at about 1000mTuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light ridgetop winds / Freezing level at about 1000m
Avalanche Summary
On Friday there was widespread evidence of natural storm slab activity to size 2.5. These avalanches likely occurred during Thursday's storm. A few wind slabs to size 1.5 were also ski cut on Friday.
Snowpack Summary
At treeline and in the alpine, light snow accumulations overlie wind slabs which formed during Thursday`s storm. 50-90cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layers seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still really touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally gaining strength. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and potentially unstable.
jlammers,
Avalanche Canada
