6:15 AM Update: Around 25 cm of recent snow may form touchy slabs, particularly at higher elevations.
The sun could increase the likelihood of both natural and human-triggered avalanches.
Recent snowfall, accompanied by strong southwest winds, has likely formed slabs, with the touchiest being in lee terrain features. These slabs may remain surprisingly reactive due to poor bonding with an underlying crust.
In the past week, numerous natural and rider-triggered wind slabs up to size 2 have been reported with windy and stormy conditions.
Wind slab reactivity has persisted longer than usual due to poor bond to the crust below.
Around 25 cm of recent snowfall overlies wind-affected surfaces and wind slabs, found primarily on north through to east aspects.
The 10 to 15 cm thick crust that formed as a result of the recent atmospheric river event is found down 40 to 60 cm. This crust extends up to at least 1500 m in the north and 2000 m in the south. Moist snow is found beneath this crust.
The early February crust is found at depths of 100 to 160 cm. This layer is not currently a concern.
The remainder of the snowpack is generally well settled and bonded.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
