Be on the lookout for wind slabs lurking at tree line and above.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
A high pressure ridge will dominate the weather pattern in the interior of BC for the forecast period. The upper level inversion we enjoyed this past week has moved out of the region bringing more seasonal January temperatures. Valley cloud is likely in the morning with cold alpine conditions. Light precipitation is forecast for Monday and early Tuesday accompanied by light to moderate south winds. The timing and precipitation amounts of this storm are still uncertain.For more in-depth weather information, visit: https://avalanche.ca/weather
Avalanche Summary
Reports of loose dry avalanches up size 2.5 originating from steep solar aspects, and a report of a size 1, natural wind slab on an eastern aspect.
Snowpack Summary
The clear skies, solar radiation, and warm air trapped at higher elevations has settled the most recent storm snow. Southerly aspects have seen enough sun and warmth to release loose moist or wet avalanches in steep terrain. Melt-freeze crusts may be encountered on many intermediate aspects, especially those exposed to warm air and strong solar radiation. Winds continue to form slabs on a variety of alpine and tree line aspects. Surface hoar and surface facetting has been reported in sheltered locations. The snowpack is generally considered stable, but pockets of steep terrain have been sluffing up to size 2 on solar aspects, and also in some steep northern exposures.
Problems
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.
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.