Wind slabs may still be encountered up high. Minimize exposure to cornices and steep, sun exposed slopes during the heat of the day.
Wind slabs could still be triggered by riders in steep, lee terrain features at high elevations. Carefully evaluate for wind slabs prior to committing to consequential avalanche terrain.
Cornices are large and looming along many ridgelines, and have likely grown with the recent snow and wind. They become increasingly weak when the sun comes out and freezing levels rise. They require a large berth when travelling above and below them.
Monday night - Cloudy with clear periods / light to moderate west wind / alpine low temperature near -5 / freezing level 1000 m
Tuesday - A mix of sun and cloud / moderate west wind / alpine high temperature near -2 / freezing level 1700 m
Wednesday - Flurries, 5 cm / strong southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -4 / freezing level 1500 m
Thursday - A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries / light northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -3 / freezing level 1300 m
A natural avalanche cycle was observed in the region on Saturday during the storm. Looking forward, wind slabs could still be triggered by riders at high elevations. Warm temperatures and sun also have the potential to weaken the snowpack and increase avalanche activity.
Saturday's storm brought 15 to 25 cm around the Hurley and Duffey, 15 cm around the Coquihalla, and 5 cm around Manning, all above around 1600 m. The snow fell with strong southwest wind, forming wind slabs in lee terrain features at high elevations. The new snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust everywhere except for north aspects above around 1600 m, where it fell onto previously dry snow. The snow surface has likely melted and frozen into a crust on sun-exposed aspects.
Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines. Their release is unpredictable, requiring a large berth if you're travelling above or below them.
