Snow from recent storms will remain reactive on wind-loaded terrain features.
Confidence
Moderate - Wind speed and direction is uncertain
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY: 4-8 cm of snow overnight then gradual clearing throughout the day, light northwest wind, alpine temperatures around -10 C.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate northwest wind, alpine temperatures around -10 C.TUESDAY: Mostly sunny, light wind, alpine temperatures warming to -7 C.
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday, several size 1 wind slabs were triggered with explosives in the Golden and Invermere areas. There are no recent reports of natural or human triggered avalanches, but observations are limited. Please submit to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Recent storms delivered 20-40 cm, with deeper wind deposits at higher elevations. The new snow sits above various crusts and moist snow left over from the warm weather in late November. Two deeper layers have been reported including the November 10 surface hoar layer down 80 cm and the Halloween crust down 100 cm. Information on the reactivity of these layers is limited. The average snow depth is over 150 cm in the alpine, 80-150 cm at treeline, and decreases rapidly below treeline where the primary hazards are rocks, stumps, and open creeks.
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.