Be on the lookout for lingering wind slabs in the alpine. Avoid likely trigger spots such as shallow, rocky, wind affected areas.
Confidence
Low - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
Wednesday: Cloudy with flurries / Light to moderate southwesterly winds / Freezing level around 1100 m. Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light westerly winds / Freezing level at valley bottom. Friday: Stormy with 5-10 cm snow / Moderate to strong southwesterly winds / Freezing level around 1000 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, a explosive triggered size 2 avalanche was reported on a northerly aspect at 2200 m. south of Revelstoke.
Snowpack Summary
Expect to find wind slabs in open terrain at treeline and above. The storm slabs created over the weekend should be gaining strength but may still be reactive to human triggers. The mid-November crust is now buried 80-140 cm deep. Recent reports suggest the overlying snow is well bonded to this crust. Below the crust the snowpack is generally well settled. Snowpack depths vary greatly throughout the region with an average of 130-200 cm at treeline elevations.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.