Cold windy weather this week will make avalanches most likely in open wind affected terrain.
Use caution where snow has accumulated to the point where the snow surface appears smooth, especially around ridgetops and alpine terrain where wind slabs may exist.
SUNDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, 30-50 km/h wind from the west, freezing level dropping to valley bottom with alpine temperatures dropping to -10 C.
MONDAY: Clear in the morning with increasing cloud in the afternoon and isolated flurries bringing up to 5 cm of snow, light wind from the northwest, alpine temperatures around -10 C.
TUESDAY: Isolated flurries bringing 5-10 cm of snow near the Alberta border and less in the Lizard Range, light wind from the southeast, alpine temperatures around -12 C.
WEDNESDAY: Flurries with another 5-15 cm of snow, 40-70 km/h wind from the northeast, alpine temperatures around -15 C.
No recent avalanches have been reported, although observations are limited right now. If you see anything while out in the field, please consider sharing that information with us and fellow recreationists via the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Earlier last week there were numerous storm slab avalanches reported to be sliding on the crusts described in the snowpack summary, but there are no reports of activity since then.
Isolated flurries and cold windy weather throughout the week will form wind slabs in open terrain.
The snowpack is still thin, with many rocks and trees sticking out. The snowline starts around 1500 m, you may find about 40 cm of snow around 1700 m, and 50 to 100 cm of snow in the alpine.
5-15 cm of recent snow has accumulated over two crusts found in the middle and near the base of the snowpack. There is uncertainty about how the snow is bonding to these crusts, and they may act as a sliding layer for snow above them. Be prepared to back off to mellow terrain if you encounter signs of instability such as whumpfs or shooting cracks.
