North Columbia

Dry snow can be found on north-facing alpine slopes, but this is where triggering slab avalanches may still be possible.

High -

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods, light north wind, alpine temperatures drop to -3 C.MONDAY: A few clouds in the morning and then sunny in the afternoon, light north wind, freezing level to 1800 m.TUESDAY: Sunny, light wind, freezing level to 1800 m.WEDNESDAY: Increasing cloud with flurries starting in the evening, light south wind, freezing level to 1800 m.

On Friday, a few large (size 2-3) skier triggered slab avalanches were reported on north-facing slopes above 2300 m. Some other smaller slabs have been reported in the same type of terrain over the past few days, highlighting the fact winter-like conditions can still be found in shaded alpine terrain. Small loose wet avalanches remain possible on sun-exposed slopes.

Most slopes have entered a daily melt-freeze cycle, with the exception of north-facing terrain above roughly 2000 m. On these colder slopes, you may find 10-30 cm of dry powder or isolated wind slabs. These same slopes may also have a layer of faceted grains buried 50 to 70 cm below the surface. This layer has been responsible for a few large isolated avalanches over the past few days. Elsewhere, the surface has been melting each day and then freezing into a hard crust overnight. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.