http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/scond/cond_e.asp?oid=30728&opark=100092Although the storm is over large avalanches are still likely. The heat of the sun today could make the storm slab more reactive.
Weather Forecast
In the wake of last week's storm a ridge of arctic high pressure will sitting over much of inland BC. This cold air mass will give us clear sunny skies and cold temps. Freezing level will stay at valley bottom with a high in the Alpine of -15 deg C and a 15kph Westerly wind. Bundle up today!
Snowpack Summary
Approximately 60cm of new snow in the past 3 days has settled into a widespread storm slab. Strong winds in the alpine have created variable wind slab in the alpine and in exposed areas at treeline. Dec and Jan persistent weak layers are now buried 150-200cm in the snowpack. Height of snow is 350cm at Treeline.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural and artillery controlled avalanches to sz 4.0 occurred during Thursdays storm. Several ran full extent, taking out mature trees. Yesterday avalanche control just west of the park produced more large destructive size 4 avalanches piling debris 10-15m deep. While natural activity may taper today, human triggered avalanches are likely
Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations
Problems
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.
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.