Hazard will increase throughout the day as storm slabs build.
A buried weak layer means that triggering very large avalanches is possible.
Weak layers remain a concern in this region, especially where there is no supportive crust above. Areas where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick, and rocky terrain features should be approached cautiously.
Storm snow is falling on a weak underlying surface, and storm slabs are expected to increase in size and sensitivity throughout the day.
On Friday, skiers near Terrace remotely triggered a cornice, which resulted in a large (size 3) persistent slab. This occurred on an east aspect in the alpine and failed on the Feb 7th crust. Several other natural cornice failures were reported, some triggering large (size 2-3) wind slabs on the slopes below.
On Monday, reactive storm slabs will build throughout the day. Be especially cautious in wind-loaded areas and where they overlie surface hoar, facets and/or a crust.
30 cm of new snow or more will fall by Monday morning covering surface hoar and facetted snow from recent cold temperatures. In open areas, strong southerly winds will be redistributing new snow, creating wind-affected surfaces. A crust can be found below this snow up to 1600 m.
The mid snowpack, down 100 to 150 cm, weak layers of surface hoar, facets and crusts remain a concern, especially where there is no crust above. Triggering of these layers is becoming less likely, but remains at a depth where human triggering is possible.
The remaining snowpack is generally well settled and well bonded.
Sunday Night
Cloudy. 35 to 45 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with 35 to 50 mm of precipitation. Freezing levels will rise to 2000 m overnight and then fall to 1000 m by Monday afternoon. Southwest ridgetop wind at 60 km/h. Treeline temperature- 1 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
