Don't let new snow lure you into consequential terrain.
Where a thick surface crust is present, large slab avalanches are less likely.
Two weak layers exist in the upper snowpack. One is down 40 cm and another down 70 to 130 cm. These layers could remain reactive to human triggering in areas where the surface has not refrozen into a thick, supportive crust.
Fresh and reactive storm slab avalanches are possible, especially in the North Selkirks where storm totals are expected to reach 20 cm or more. These slabs are expected to be easy to trigger as they overlie a firm melt-freeze crust.
Rain-on-snow at lower elevations may produce wet loose avalanches, especially on steep slopes facing the sun. These may step-down and trigger deeper slab avalanches.
In areas where you find a thick crust, these avalanches are unlikely.
On Tuesday, a size 2 natural persistent slab avalanche was reported on a south-facing slope at treeline. The widespread natural avalanche cycle up to size 3 continued while temperatures were warm through Monday.
Looking ahead, in areas where you find a thick surface crust, avalanche activity is becoming unlikely.
Above 1000 m, up to 20 cm of new snow will likely overlie a firm crust. Expect to find wet surface snow at low elevations.
Two layers of surface hoar and sun crust can be found in the top meter of the snowpack.
A thick and hard widespread crust, formed in early February, is buried about 70 to 130 cm deep. This crust has a layer of facets above it in many areas.
The snowpack below this crust is generally not concerning except in shallow alpine terrain.
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 15 mm, greatest in the North Selkirks, falling as snow above 1000 m. 15 km/h northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m dropping to surface.
Thursday
Cloudy. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -4 °C.
Friday
Mostly sunny. 15 km/h northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -8 °C.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. 15 km/h north ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
