A significant amount of new snow and rain are causing dangerous avalanche conditions.
Reduce your exposure to overhead hazard and stay away from run-out zones.
Weak layers remain a concern in this region, especially where there is no supportive crust above. Areas where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick, and rocky terrain features should be approached cautiously.
Storm snow is falling on a weak underlying surface, and storm slabs are expected to increase in size and sensitivity throughout the day.
Rain and warm temperatures are destabilizing the recent snow. Wet loose avalanches will remain possible as long as temperatures stay above zero degrees or it's raining.
On Friday, skiers near Terrace remotely triggered a cornice, which resulted in a large (size 3) persistent slab. This occurred on an east aspect in the alpine and failed on the Feb 7th crust. Several other natural cornice failures were reported, some triggering large (size 2-3) wind slabs on the slopes below.
On Monday, reactive storm slabs will build throughout the day. Be especially cautious in wind-loaded areas and where they overlie surface hoar, facets and/or a crust.
By Tuesday morning, 40-80 cm of new snow will have fallen above 1000 m. This new snow is falling on surface hoar and facetted snow from recent cold temperatures. In open areas, strong southerly winds will be redistributing new snow, creating wind-affected surfaces.
The mid snowpack, down 100 to 150 cm, weak layers of surface hoar, facets and crusts remain a concern, especially where there is no crust above. Triggering of these layers is becoming less likely, but remains at a depth where human triggering is possible.
The remaining snowpack is generally well settled and well bonded.
Monday Night
Cloudy. 20 to 30 cm of snow above 1300 m, rain below this elevation. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
