Storm snow continues to stack up over a weak underlying surface.
The best and safest riding will exist in lower-angled, sheltered terrain.
Snowfall and wind on Sunday will continue to build storm slabs, which will likely be deepest and most reactive in wind-loaded terrain.
Storm slabs may overlie a weak layer, which could result in wide propagation and remote triggers.
A size 2 avalanche was observed in the Clemina region on Thursday; we suspect it occurred earlier in the week. This avalanche was on a NW aspect at roughly 2000 m elevation. It failed on a layer of surface hoar down 75 cm.
Storm snow has stacked up in the past week, and could be reaching a tipping point for reactive slab avalanches. Learn more in our recent conditions update.
Let us know what you are seeing by posting a MIN if you are heading out in the backcountry!
In many areas, over 50 cm of new snow has accumulated since last weekend. Persistent westerly winds during these storms have formed deeper deposits of wind-loaded snow on leeward slopes at higher elevations.
In sheltered terrain, especially near treeline, a preserved surface hoar layer may have been buried 40 to 80 cm below the surface. The distribution of this layer appears to be more widespread south of Highway 16, while it appears more spotty and inconsistent north of the highway.
Snow depths at treeline average 100 to 150 cm and decrease rapidly at lower elevations.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 800 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
