Hazard will increase throughout the day as storm slabs build on a weak surface.
A buried weak layer means that triggering very large avalanches is possible!
Weak layers remain a concern in this region, especially where there is no supportive crust above. Areas where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick, and rocky terrain features should be approached cautiously.
Storm snow is falling on a weak underlying surface, and storm slabs are expected to increase in size and sensitivity throughout the day.
On Friday, skiers near Terrace remotely triggered a cornice, which resulted in a large (size 3) persistent slab. This occurred on an east aspect in the alpine and failed on the Feb 7th crust. Several other natural cornice failures were reported, some triggering large (size 2-3) wind slabs on the slopes below.
On Sunday, reactive storm slabs will build throughout the day. Be especially cautious in wind-loaded areas and where they overlie surface hoar, facets and/or a crust.
Up to 15 cm of new snow covers surface hoar and facetted snow from recent cold temperatures. In open areas, strong southerly winds will be redistributing new snow, creating wind slabs and wind-affected surfaces. A crust can be found below this snow up to 1600 m.
The mid snowpack, down 90 to 130 cm, weak layers of surface hoar, facets and crusts remain a concern, especially where there is no crust above. Triggering of these layers is becoming less likely, but remains at a depth where human triggering is possible.
The remaining snowpack is generally well settled and well bonded.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy. 5 to 30 cm of snow. 40 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 30 mm as rain or snow at treeline. 60 to 100 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. Trace to 10 cm of snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
