Reactive wind slabs remain a concern near ridge crests, roll-overs, and steep terrain.
Convective snowfalls could bring localized heavy precipitation, especially in higher terrain.
Uncertainty remains about the total accumulation from these enhanced precipitations.
Recent snow and wind have formed small but reactive slabs in lee areas. These wind slabs may be bonding poorly to the underlying surfaces and be still be reactive to human traffic. In sheltered terrain where the new snow has accumulated, dry loose avalanches could initiate in steeper terrain.
Over the weekend, small wind slabs (size 1) were easily triggered by skiers on alpine convex rolls and natural cornice falls (size 1) were observed on steep slopes near Fernie. At lower elevations, riders triggered loose wet avalanches on south-facing slopes.
Old evidence of loose wet cycle (size 1 and 2) is still visible on steep solar terrain aspects. They were triggered by strong solar radiation, earlier last week.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
At upper elevations, up to 15 cm of new snow overlies a crust on solar aspects, faceted snow and surface hoar (up to 10 mm) in shaded and wind-sheltered areas. Wind-affected surfaces are also found in exposed areas. At lower elevations, a crust exists on or near the surface.
The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled, but a lingering persistent waek layer has shown some signs of reactivity near Leach Ridge. The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. This layer has not produced recent avalanche activity.
Unsettled weather will continue to bring scattered flurries until a ridge of high pressure invades the region early next week. Enhanced precipitations are expected in higher terrain Sunday night and Monday.
Sunday night
Cloudy. Isolated flurries. Local amounts of 5-10 cm. Low alpine temperatures of -9 °C. Light southeasterly ridge wind gusting 30 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Monday
Cloudy with sunny periods. Isolated flurries. Local amounts up to 5 cm. High alpine temperatures of -2 °C. Light southerly ridge wind gusting 30 km/h. Freezing level rises to 1500 metres.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud. High alpine temperatures of -3 °C. Light easterly ridge wind. Freezing level rises to 1400 metres.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. High alpine temperatures of -2 °C. Light easterly ridge wind. Freezing level rises to 1800 metres.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
