Venture cautiously as you investigate the outcome of the storm. Use this forecast as an initial assessment and gather information as you travel. Remember to post your observations to the Mountain Information Network!
Snow from Saturday's storm is likely to have been blown into reactive wind slabs at higher elevations. These slabs are unlikely to form a solid bond with the previous surface over the near term.
Sunday night: Cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Moderate northwest winds.
Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate northwest winds. Alpine high temperatures around -8.
Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate northeast winds increasing over the day. Alpine high temperatures around -10, cooling over the day.
Wednesday: Sunny. Moderate to strong northeast winds. Alpine high temperatures around -16.
No new avalanches have yet been reported in the region, but it's safe to assume Saturday's storm caused natural avalanche activity in at higher elevations.
For the early part of this week, the focus remains on the new snow, particularly in areas where winds may have blown it into deep and reactive wind slabs.
Concern is reduced in areas where the new snow wasn't quite able to overcome the depth of ground roughness.
25 to 30 cm of new snow accumulated in the region over the course of Saturday's storm. Observations in the region are limited, but we have indications that for most areas where previous snow cover existed, the new snow buried a supportive melt-freeze crust.
The new snow is not expected to bond well to this surface over the near term.
Total snow depths are likely approaching 50-70 cm at alpine elevations in the Smithers area, with depths diminishing rapidly with elevation below 1500 metres.
