Remain skeptical and curious about the persistent weak layer, which is deep enough to cause large avalanches if triggered. This will be a layer of concern for a while yet.
Recent strong winds from the W/SW have redistributed surface snow into lee pockets in the alpine. Use caution when transitioning into this type of terrain.
A 35-50+ cm slab sits over the Jan. 24th surface hoar layer on shady aspects, and crust/ facets on southerly slopes up into the alpine. The surface hoar has been reactive. especially in Yoho and Kootenay between 1600-2200m. We expect this to persist for the next while.
Field teams did not observe any new avalanches Thursday. However, conditions haven't changed much this week.
40cm of snow overlies a heavily wind-affected surface at upper elevations. Below this, the Jan. 24 layer (surface hoar/crust/facet) sits 30–50+ cm down at treeline. This layer has been very reactive in Kootenay and Yoho. In the alpine, we suspect this problem is predominantly on southerly aspects as a facet/crust interface. We expect touchy conditions for the foreseeable future.
Friday: Mix of sun and cloud, with trace amounts of snow. Winds 30-40km/h from the west, and treeline temperatures rising to -3C (1900m freezing level)
Saturday: Strong winds from the West, trace amounts of snow, and freezing levels 2000m rising to 2400m.
Sunday: Strong to extreme winds with snow starting in the afternoon as a system enters our region.
