Watch for wind loaded rocky start zones where the snowpack varies from thick to to thin. Weak layers are more easily triggered here.
Read the latest forecaster blog for more information on managing buried weak layers.
Watch for wind loaded terrain features from southerly winds. Back off slopes that sounds drum-like and hollow. Avalanches triggered in wind-loaded terrain could step down to deeper weak layers, creating larger than expected avalanches.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally weak, facetted and contains multiple buried weak layers. A layer of facets surface hoar, and/or crust buried 30 to 60 cm deep continues to produce test results that indicate it could be triggered by riders. Avalanches may be larger than you expect due to the depth of buried weak layers.
A natural size 1.5 wind slab was reported on a west facing slope on Friday. Reports are limited throughout the North Cariboos and North Rockies, but we expect small human triggered wind slabs to be possible in most areas.
No recent avalanche activity has been reported on the persistent weak layers in the region. However, there continues to be ongoing spooky snowpack test results that continue to support a conservative approach to terrain.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
30 to 60 cm of surface snow is found in areas sheltered from the wind, which sits over a generally weak, facetted snowpack with multiple buried weak layers. Wind-exposed terrain has been affected from strong southerly winds, leaving firm surfaces Wind slabs may be found in lee terrain features, which may sit over a layer of surface hoar and/or crust.
Two layers of concern exist in this snowpack:
A layer of facets, crust and surface hoar that was buried around Christmas and found around 30 to 60 cm from the surface.
A layer of large, weak facets buried in November and found near the bottom of the snowpack. This layer is likely most problematic in alpine terrain, where shallower avalanches could scrub down to these basal facets. These layers may persist for some time, as described in our Forecasters' blog.
Snowpack depths are roughly 100 to 175 cm at treeline.
Saturday Night
Light snowfall in the south, up to 3 cm. Freezing levels around 500m. Moderate southerly winds.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with up to 4 cm of snowfall. Moderate southerly winds. Alpine high of -3 °C. Freezing levels reach 1200 m in the afternoon.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Light to moderate southerly wind. Alpine highs of -3, freezing levels reach 1200 m in the south.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Light southerly wind. Alpine highs of -5, freezing levels around 500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
