Buried surface hoar is increasing the reactivity of recent storm snow. Small avalanches may step down to deeper weaknesses within the snowpack.
New snow sits over weak surfaces including surface hoar, which reports indicate is rider triggerable. Use caution near ridgelines where wind loading will create deeper and more reactive slabs
Avalanches on weak faceted snow at the base of the snowpack are becoming less likely, but remain possible on steep, smooth slopes. This problem seems to be local to Invermere, but information is limited.
During the storm on Saturday, several natural slab avalanches were noted to size 2, mainly on north facing slopes at higher elevations. In addition, a deep persistent slab was reported on a north aspect near Invermere on depth hoar at the base of the snowpack.
Wind slab reactivity is expected to continue, while deep persistent layers remain unpredictable.
Observations are limited, please submit a MIN if you head into the backcountry!
10-15 cm of new snow sits on various layers including sun crusts, surface hoar in sheltered areas, and wind-affected snow.
In the Invermere area, weak faceted snow at the base of the snowpack has caused several small but notable persistent slab avalanches at the base of the snowpack. It's unknown if this problem extends to the wider region, so far reports suggest it does not.
Treeline snow depths are generally 50 to 70 cm, with deeper wind-loaded pockets in the alpine.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Monday
Sunny. 15 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Tuesday
Sunny. 15 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Wednesday
Sunny. 15 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
