New snow and wind are impacting a buried weak layer in the region.
Be cautious in steep or wind-affected terrain and anywhere with overhead hazard.
Wind and new snow have likely formed fresh and reactive slabs.
Avalanches in motion may step down to deeper layers in the snow.
A crust with facets forms a persistent weak layer in the snowpack and has produced a widespread cycle of natural and human-triggered avalanches across the region.
On December 30,
A large (Size 2.5) remotely triggered persistent slab avalanche was reported in the Bullmoose riding area, near Tumbler Ridge. See the MIN for more details
A widespread natural avalanche cycle was reported in the Tumbler Ridge area, with avalanches up to size 2.5 on a variety of aspects.
A broad range of new snow amounts are present through the region, with isolated areas (around Pine Pass) getting up to 40 cm of snow. This snow will be redistributed into deeper deposits in alpine at treeline terrain by strong southwest wind.
A prominent crust which has caused a natural avalanche cycle on Tuesday formed in mid-December, is now buried 60 to 100 cm deep. This crust extends up to 1800 m near the Pine Pass area.
In thin snowpack areas, faceted grains or depth hoar may exist at the base of the snowpack.
Wednesday Night
Cloudy. up to 4 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 600 m.
Thursday
Cloudy. 5 cm of snow. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level 500 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 5 cm of snow. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. Up to 4 cm of snow. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
