The wind is forecasted to increase, pockets of soft snow preserved by cold temperatures is available for transport.
Don't commit to steep slopes if the snow feels dense or stiff.
Soft snow preserved by cold temperatures may be redistributed into small wind slabs with the forecast increase in winds. These are likely to be found in isolated terrain features, such as directly lee of ridges, at upper elevations.
On Saturday near Fernie an explosive triggered size 1.5 storm slab was reported.
On Friday a skier-triggered size 1 was reported in the Harvey area near Fernie. The crown was roughly 15 cm deep and involved the recent storm snow.
Total snowpack depths are roughly 80 to 120 cm, tapering quickly at lower elevations.
The upper snowpack is variable, with wind-affected surface snow in open terrain and softer snow in sheltered areas. This overlies a crust that formed in early November. The lower snowpack consists of multiple crusts.
In many areas, especially below treeline, there is not enough snow to smooth out surface roughness or reach the threshold needed for avalanches.
Mostly clear skies. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Mostly cloudy. Isolated flurries, increasing overnight 2 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h westerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Partly cloudy. 15 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Partly cloudy. Isolated flurries, 1 cm of snow.10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
