Stormy conditions continue, creating tricky avalanche conditions. Best to keep things simple and avoid high-consequence terrain.
Continued snow and strong wind will likely build slabs and will load a weak surface hoar layer. Natural avalanche activity is possible during periods of rapid snow loading.
Riders remotely triggered a couple large avalanches from 200 m away near Barkerville on the weekend. A similar avalanche was observed near Valemount. These avalanches speak to the propagation potential of the buried weak layer described in the Snowpack Summary, where it exists within the terrain.
Riders should expect the possibility of both rider-triggered and natural avalanches on Monday as stormy conditions continue to form slabs and load the buried weak layer.
20 to 40 cm of snow accumulated over the weekend and another 10 to 20 cm may accumulate by Monday afternoon. Strong southerly wind likely formed deeper deposits in leeward terrain features.
Around 50 to 100 cm deep, a preserved layer of surface hoar may be found in openings around treeline. The distribution of this layer appears to be widespread south of Highway 16 and spottier north of the highway. Where it exists, the layer has the likelihood of forming widely-propagating avalanches that can be remotely triggered.
Snow depths at treeline average 100 to 150 cm and decrease rapidly at lower elevations.
Sunday Night
Cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Monday
Cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow with local amounts up to 25 cm possible. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with afternoon clearing. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
