Dial back your terrain choices if you’re finding more than 20 cm of storm snow. Avoid north-facing alpine slopes, these areas are where triggering persistent weak layers is most likely.
Weak layers from January and February persist within the upper 100 cm of snow. Natural avalanche activity has tapered off with cooler temperatures; however, human triggering the persistent layers remains a concern.
Up to 20 cm of snow is expected in the northern parts of the region and 10 cm in the south. Watch for signs of slab formation as storm snow accumulates throughout the day.
Over the weekend, numerous natural and human-triggered avalanches, up to size 3.5, were reported at all elevations and aspects, many failing on the late January persistent weak layer.
On Sunday, a skier remotely triggered a size 2 persistent slab avalanche on a NW slope at 2300 m near Kaslo. The avalanche failed on the February weak layer and stepped down to the January weak layer.
By Wednesday morning, 5 to 10 cm of new snow is expected, with an additional 5 to 10 cm throughout the day. The new snow covers a 3 to 5 cm thick melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects, except on northerly slopes above 2000 m.
A weak layer, composed of facets, surface hoar, or a crust, is found 20 to 60 cm deep. Another persistent weak layer, buried in late January, lies 50 to 110 cm deep across the region. This layer also consists of surface hoar/facets or a crust, depending on the aspect.
The remaining snowpack is well-settled and strong.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with flurries, 5 to 10 cm of snow. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy with flurries. Southern parts of the region are expected to receive 3 cm of snow, while northern areas may get an additional 10 cm. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5°C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
