Wind slabs are the main concern. Seek out sheltered and low-consequence terrain for the best and safest riding.
Triggering a deep persistent slab remains possible, especially in areas with a thin snowpack.
Stiff wind slabs formed this week due to strong winds. Be sure to investigate underneath fluffy new snow for signs of wind slab. New snow may also form wind slabs in exposed areas.
Up to 40 cm of new low density light and dry snow overlies stiff old surfaces.
Expect that dry loose avalanches will be certain on very steep terrain. Even a small loose dry avalanche can have enough mass to push a person into or over a terrain trap such as a cliff or depression.
We continue to receive reports of large deep persistent slab avalanches, failing on facets (weak sugary crystals) near the base of the snowpack. Although triggering an avalanche on these deeply buried layers is unlikely, the result would be a large destructive avalanche.
Avoid shallow areas, and steep, rocky start zones.
New snow may form soft slabs that easily slide on the firm surfaces it is falling on.
Natural wind slab avalanches, some triggered by cornice fall, are reported up to size 3 in the northern part of the region. These avalanches highlight the importance of giving cornices a wide berth and avoiding the overhead hazard they present.
On Thursday a size 3 deep persistent slab avalanche occurred naturally near Kispiox. It was on a steep, alpine feature, failing near rocks at ridgecrest. On Wednesday at Hudson Bay Mountain, a size 2.5 deep persistent slab avalanche was triggered by cornice fall. Several size 2-3 explosive controlled deep persistent slab avalanches also occurred near Ningunsaw.
If you go into the backcountry this weekend, please consider submitting a MIN report.
Reports of new snow amounts totaling 40cm of low density have been submitted. Expect this new snow to be easily redistributed by southwest winds and touchy to sliding on steep old stiff surfaces.
New snow will fall on a firm, wind affected surface in all exposed areas. In sheltered areas, surface faceting due to cold temperatures and/or soft surface snow may remain.
Several crusts, layers of facets, or surface hoar can be found in the top 1.5 meters of the snowpack. This mid-pack is generally showing good strength.
Weak layers of note are facets near the bottom of the snowpack, 150 to 200 cm below the surface.
The total height of snow at treeline is between 200 and 280 cm.
Saturday Night
Cloudy 5 to 20 cm of low density snow, moderate southwest winds dropping light throughout the day, treeline temperatures -10°C to -15°C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy, chance of snow flurries, winds west 30 km/h, treeline temperatures -12 ºC.
Tuesday
Cloudy, light snow flurries, winds southwest 20 km/h , treeline temperatures -10 ºC.
Monday
Cloudy, light snow flurries, winds southwest 20 km/h , treeline temperatures -10 ºC.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
