Avoid rocky or wind loaded features where the snowpack varies from thick to thin. This is where both wind slabs and buried weak layers can most likely triggered.
Read the latest forecaster blog for more information on managing buried weak layers.
Watch for wind loaded terrain features from southerly winds. Back off slopes that sounds drum-like and hollow. Avalanches triggered in wind-loaded terrain could step down to deeper weak layers, creating larger than expected avalanches.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally weak, facetted and contains multiple buried weak layers. A layer of facets, surface hoar and/or crust buried 30 to 60 cm deep continues to produce test results that indicate it could be triggered by riders. Avalanches may be larger than you expect due to the depth of buried weak layers.
No new reports since Friday, when a natural size 1.5 wind slab was reported on a west facing slope in the Cariboos.
No recent avalanche activity has been reported on the persistent weak layers in the region. However, spooky snowpack test results continue to support a conservative approach to terrain.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
A few centimeters of snow may sit over firm surfaces and wind slabs in wind-exposed terrain features. Elsewhere, 30 to 60 cm of settled snow sits over a generally weak, facetted snowpack with multiple buried weak layers.
Two layers of greatest concern:
A layer of facets, crust and surface hoar that was buried around Christmas and found around 30 to 60 cm deep.
A layer of large, weak facets buried in November and found near the bottom of the snowpack. This layer is likely most problematic in alpine terrain, where shallower avalanches could scrub down to these basal facets. These layers may persist for some time, as described in our Forecasters' blog.
Snowpack depths are roughly 100 to 175 cm at treeline.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with trace amounts of new snow expected. Light variable winds and a low of -11 at 1800m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light southerly winds and a high of -6 at 1800m.
Thursday
Stormy with up to 10cm of new snow expected. Strong southerly winds and a high of -4 at 1800m.
Friday
Stormy with up to 15cm of new snow expected at treeline and above. Rain at lower elevations. Freezing levels around 1600m. Moderate to strong southerly winds.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
