Don't let the improving weather fool you,
conditions are very tricky and prime for human-triggered avalanches. The hazard will increase on south facing slopes on the first day of full sun.
Weather Forecast
Some light disturbance is expected for Saturday as a ridge of high pressure builds. Clear, cold, and dry conditions are expected for Sunday and Monday once the ridge of high pressure has established. Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud, light scattered flurries 0-1cm, treeline temperatures around -10C, ridgetop winds light NWSunday/Monday: Clear and sunny, treeline temperatures around -15C, ridgetop winds light N-NE
Avalanche Summary
Natural avalanche activity is generally decreasing now that the storm has ended but we are still receiving reports of natural activity. Conditions are ideal for human triggering right now and we have received numerous reports of skier triggered avalanches, many of which have released quite deep in the snowpack. Several of these avalanches were remotely triggered. On Thursday, 1 remotely triggered avalanche was reported in the Cariboos and 8 were reported in the North Columbia Monashees/Selkirks. The skier remote in the Cariboos was triggered from 100m away, released 125cm deep, and was associated with a large settlement.
Snowpack Summary
The recent ten-day storm has produced a cohesive slab that averages 40-80 cm in thickness. This slab sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 200m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagations within the weak layer. We expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many areas, thick wind slabs may overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.