Use good travel habits and avoid shallow, rocky start zones. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features, and in extreme terrain.
A weak layer of facets exists near the base of the snowpack. The likelihood of human triggering is low given the layer's depth. Suspect terrain for human triggering includes steep, shallow, and rocky terrain where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick.
On Wednesday, west of McBride, a large (size 3.0), naturally triggered, cornice avalanche was reported on a north aspect in the alpine. It travelled 600 m down the slope and entrained a large amount of loose snow.
By Thursday afternoon, up to 5cm of new snow may have fallen over a thin crust on steep slopes facing the sun right up into the alpine. Snow that fell earlier in the week has been redistributed by northeast winds. On high, north-facing terrain, wind slabs may sit over facets and surface hoar.
The mid-snowpack is generally strong. There continues to be a weak layer of facets from November at the base of the snowpack. This layer remains a concern in rocky, shallow, or thin to thick snowpack areas at treeline and above.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, increasing cloud in the morning. No new snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind, moderate at higher elevations. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 0-5 cm of snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind, trending to moderate at higher elevations. Freezing level rising to 1200 m. Treeline high around -5°C.
Saturday
Partly cloudy. 0-5 cm of snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind, trending to moderate west at higher elevations. Freezing level at valley bottom in the morning, rising to 1200 m. Treeline high around -5°C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 2-5 cm of snow expected. Very light northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level at valley bottom in the morning, rising to 1100 m. Treeline high around -5°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
