The danger remains Moderate due to uncertainty around the deeper facets, especially in Kootenay. It is very difficult to estimate whether a slope will avalanche with these types of layers. Your terrain choices will be the best risk management.
Recent winds have created windslabs in the alpine and some treeline locations. Older wind slabs are likely losing some reactivity, but may be more reactive where they overly facets.
This problem represents both the Dec. 2nd crust/ facet layer (treeline and below) and the late December facet layer. Lots of variation in the sensitivity ranging from reactive sudden collapse to no results depending on location, aspect and elevation.
The ridge of high pressure will break down Sunday as a westerly low move into the forecast region. This low pressure system will bring 5 to 15cm of snow with higher accumulation amount to the western part of the region. By Monday evening an Arctic cold front will cool things off dropping overnight lows down into the -30s.
Wind effect and wind slabs in the alpine and exposed tree-line areas and suncrust on steep south facing terrain. In sheltered areas, 20-40 cm of soft snow overlies facets and a (Dec 2) crust/facet interface generally 60-100cm deep. This layer continues to produce sudden test results in Kootenay Park.
No new avalanches observed or reported on Saturday. Over the past week we have received reports and observed a few avalanche to size 3 on the persistent weak layer. All of these avalanches were triggered by large loads (cornice).
