New snow and strong winds = reactive storm slabs that require a cautious approach to backcountry travel. Stick to lower-angled, low consequence terrain to manage it.
Recent storm snow and moderate to strong winds have formed storm slabs that will be reactive to human triggers on Saturday. Danger will be greatest in open, higher elevation terrain.
Reports have been limited. Natural and human triggered avalanche activity has been observed near Cypress.
Tricky avalanche conditions are likely to persist through Saturday as the new snow takes time to settle.
Up to 40 cm of new snow brings us to roughly 120 to 170 cm of settling storm snow since Dec 17.
Each round of substantial snowfall and wind loading has produced storm and wind slab problems, generally limited to each day's accumulations.
In most places the storm snow overlies bare ground. At alpine elevations it covers a crust over 20 to 50 cm of old, wet snow.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Saturday
Sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
