Recent snow and wind slabs may overlie a reactive weak layer of surface hoar.
Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff or slabby.
Wind slabs have built below ridges and in cross-loaded terrain on a variety of aspects. In some areas they sit on a buried crust or surface hoar, making them reactive for longer than usual.
Up to 30 cm of storm snow fell in the region recently, with highest amounts reported in the Western Monashees. In many areas storm slabs rest on a weak layer of surface hoar.
Human and naturally triggered wind and storm slabs (size 1 to 2) remain active across the region, primarily in the western Monashees. Most failures occurred on wind-loaded alpine slopes, with a few reported at lower elevations. Notably, some slabs failed on a buried surface hoar layer located 30 to 40 cm deep.
Due to slabs overlying weak surface hoar in some areas, we expect triggering of these slabs to remain possible for longer than usual.
10 to 30 cm of low-density storm snow fell in the preceding days. This snow has buried a variety of surfaces including sun crust, surface hoar, and facets. The snow surface is likely wind-affected in most open areas at all elevations.
A secondary layer of weak surface hoar from early January is buried 30 to 50 cm. This layer has been reactive where a cohesive slab has formed over it.
A crust/facet/surface hoar layer from early December may be found 90 to 160 cm deep. Avalanche activity on this layer has tapered in recent weeks.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy. 15 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h northridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Sunday
Sunny. 15 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C, inversion forming.
Monday
Sunny. 20 to 35 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C, inversion
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
