New snow and strong winds are building reactive storm slabs.
A persistent weak layer remains a significant concern in the region.
Conservative terrain choices are recommended.
The persistent layer of large surface hoar/ facets/ crust buried 30 to 60 cm, remains a significant concern. Avalanche activity has been prevalent on it this week, including some remote triggering.
15 - 25 cm of new snow combined with strong winds will build reactive new storm slabs. They will be thickest and most reactive on lee slopes near ridgetops, and in areas where they overlie a new surface hoar layer.
Wet loose avalanches may be possible if the sun comes out with enough force on Sunday. Back off of sunny slopes if you notice the snow surface getting moist.
Numerous natural, rider-triggered and remote-triggered slab avalanches (up to size 3) have been reported over the past few days. These avalanches released on the late January surface hoar layer/crust mentioned in the snowpack summary.
Widespread wet loose activity up to size 2 was also observed during the warming from Wednesday to Friday.
We expect the danger will remain elevated through Sunday, with both natural and human-triggered avalanches possible to likley.
15 to 25 cm of new snow accompanied by strong west to southwesterly winds is in the forecast for Saturday night.
This snow will be adding to the 2 to 10 cm that fell in the region on Saturday, which is covering a new layer of surface hoar over a melt-freeze crust in many locations. This may make storm slabs more reactive.
The late January persistent weak layer, consisting of surface hoar/facets/crust, is buried 30 to 60 cm. It has surprised people with its reactivity this past week, especially in sheltered treeline features.
The mid and lower snowpack is well settled with no layers of concern.
Saturday Night
Cloudy. 15 to 25 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 4 cm of snow possible in the morning. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 1 to 4 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
