Start on small features and check for signs of instability before committing to big terrain.
If your area gets 20 cm or more of new snow overnight, increase the avalanche danger by one level.
Continued snowfall is keeping a surface snow avalanche problem alive. Expect slabs to be deeper and more reactive on leeward slopes due to recent south through west wind. Step-downs to deeper layers are unlikely but consequential.
On Friday, numerous large natural, human, and explosive triggered avalanches were reported in alpine and treeline terrain on most aspects.
The early December persistent weak layer was most problematic in the south end of this region. The last reported avalanche on this layer was a remote trigger on December 22, on a west-facing slope at 2200 m, west of Revelstoke. An avalanche on this layer would be unlikely but large and high consequence.
Expect to find 25 to 60 cm of settling snow in sheltered areas, and wind slabs on lee slopes below peaks and ridgelines. On sun affected slopes, the recent snow covers a melt freeze crust.
A layer of surface hoar, crust and/or facets exists 60-110 cm deep. Reports indicate this layer is hard to find and likely not a concern north of Highway 5. South of Highway 5, no avalanches have been reported on this layer since December 22, but some professional operations have observed concerning results in snowpack tests, and we aren't ready to ignore it just yet. It's most likely to linger on north through east aspects between 1700 and 2300 m.
Snow depth at treeline is 120-150 cm.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy with up to 8 cm of snow, possible hotspots of 20 cm or more. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with up to 4 cm of snow. Light variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with light flurries. 5 to 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with light flurries. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
