It's still possible for riders to trigger large, persistent slab avalanches.
Buried weak layers are likely gaining strength but the possibility of triggering a large persistent slab avalanche remains. There are two weak layers, both composed of surface hoar and facets, anywhere from 40 to 150 cm deep. It may be more likely to trigger these layers where they are buried relatively shallow.
A rider triggered a small avalanches in an opening, as shown in this MIN. The avalanche likely released on one of the weak layers described in the Snowpack Summary and shows that this layer could still be triggered in specific terrain. Caution should be taken in challenging or complex terrain given the uncertainty and consequence of large avalanches.
Around 50 cm of snow sits on a hard melt-freeze crust found up to treeline elevations formed by rain on December 26. Moist snow or a surface crust may be found up to around 1600 m on all aspects and up to ridgetop on sun-exposed slopes.
Two deeper layers of surface hoar and facets could still be triggered in specific terrain. These include a 40 to 80 cm deep layer buried mid-December and an 80 to 150 cm deep layer buried mid-November. These layers are generally deeper around Fernie and shallower towards Sparwood and Elkford. The layers may be easier to trigger where they are buried within the top 100 cm of the snowpack.
Monday Night
Clear with no precipitation, 15 km/h southwest wind, light inversion, treeline temperature -5 °C.
Tuesday
Increasing cloud coverage with a trace of snow, 20 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -9 °C.
WednesdayMix of sun and cloud, trace of new snow, 20 to 30 km/h westerly wind, treeline temperature -12 °C.
ThursdayMostly cloudy, trace of new snow, 20 to 30 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
