Storm slab avalanche activity will increase with the arrival of another load of new snow on Saturday.
Storm slabs will continue to develop through the day Saturday, particularly at treeline and above, where wind is likely forming more cohesive slabs. Below the recent storm snow, a layer of weak facets or surface hoar may exist.
A size 2 avalanche was observed in the Clemina region on Thursday; we suspect it occurred on Tuesday or Wednesday. This avalanche was on a NW aspect at roughly 2000 m elevation. It failed on a layer of surface hoar down 75 cm.
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.
Friday Night
Cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 700 m.
Saturday
Cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 700 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 25 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
