Strong winds have left slabs in open features. Persistent slabs sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar continue to be most reactive at treeline and below.
Keep your guard up at all elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive and could extend into openings below treeline. Direct sun may also destabilize the snowpack.
Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar, especially at treeline and below.
Reactive surface hoar continues to be responsible for numerous natural, remote, and rider-triggered avalanches.
Friday: whumpfing, cracking, and remote-triggered avalanches reported (MIN).
Thursday: several natural and rider-triggered wind slabs up to size 2.
Wednesday: riders triggered persistent slabs on a northeast aspect below treeline near Golden. MIN 1 and 2
Tuesday: rider-triggered size 2 persistent avalanche below treeline near Invermere.
Strong westerlies have impacted 20 to 40 cm of recent storm snow, pressing surfaces and depositing slabs in lee features, including open areas below treeline.
A layer of surface hoar down 30 to 60 cm continues to be reactive to human triggers. Many recent persistent slab avalanches have failed on well-preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas at treeline and below.
The mid and lower snowpack are well settled in some areas. In others, large facets (depth hoar) are present at the bottom of the snowpack.
Saturday Night
Clear skies. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Sunday
Sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
