Pay attention to the wind. Expect fresh wind slabs to form where the wind redistributes loose snow.
Gusty winds are forecast overnight Sunday and are expected to increase through Monday. There's a lot of loose snow out there, expect fresh slabs to form where the wind picks up.
A weak layer of surface hoar and crust may be found down 40-80 cm. This layer has been very reactive south of Valemont and towards Revelstoke (especially between 1700-2200 m). With few field observations, we don't know the distribution and sensitivity of this layer across this forecast region.
Dig down and investigate the new snow. And keep an eye on the wind, slabs may quickly form wherever the wind encourages the fresh snow to bond; and with a weak layer of surface hoar below, slabs may be more widespread, extend into treeline elevations, and be more reactive than expected in sheltered areas.
We've had limited reports from the region, however, with a lot of loose snow available increasing wind will easily build fresh slabs.
A natural wind slab avalanche cycle (likely occurring last Wed-Thurs) was reported west of Tumbler Ridge, with a north wind event producing wind slab avalanches to size 2.5.
Please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network to help us and fellow recreationists.
Low-density flurries have dusted localized areas overnight and cold temperatures and starry skies are promoting surface hoar growth and facetting. Winds have redistributed loose snow at upper elevations, but plenty of low-density snow remains available for transport.
Settling snow now covers a layer of surface hoar, facets, and melt-freeze crust down 40-70 cm. We're still gaining information on the distribution and sensitivity of this layer, but further south of the Avalanche Forecast region, reactive surface hoar is found over this crust. Snowpack depths range from 60 cm at treeline to 120 cm in the alpine.
Sunday night
Clear with patchy cloud, possible inversion and valley fog forming. Northeast wind 20-30 with possible gusts to 50 km/hr. Treeline temperature low -22 °C
Monday
Increasing cloud and isolated flurries, more likely towards the east slopes of the Rockies, trace to 5 cm accumulation. Northwest wind 20-40 km/hr. Treeline high temperature -16 C.
TuesdayIncreasing cloud and isolated flurries, accumulation up to 5-10 mm, high snow-to-liquid ratios could produce enhanced snowfall at upper elevations. West wind 15-25 km/hr. Treeline high temperature -15 C.
WednesdayCloudy, windy, and flurries, up to 20 mm accumulation forecast (cold, low-density snow). Increasing southwest wind gusting upwards of 60 km/hr. Treeline temperature rising to -8 C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
