The wind has been at work in this region. Wind slabs and cornices are likely to be reactive.
Activity look for signs of wind slab like hollow and drum like sounds, and avoid wind loaded terrain.
Wind slab formation has been extensive, with recent avalanche activity involving wind slab releases. Cooler temperatures will support a more stable snowpack below treeline, but dry snow above treeline remains a concern.
Ongoing snowfall and wind continue to stress buried weak layers in the upper snowpack. Facets, surface hoar, and crusts in the snowpack may be more reactive, producing widely propagating avalanches.
On Saturday, north of Kispiox a natural cornice release was reported that triggered a size 2.5 wind slab avalanche. In the same area skier triggered wind slab activity was reported.
Up to 15 cm of recent storm snow has been redistributed by moderate to strong southwest wind. Below this, roughly 60 cm of settled snow overlies a weak layer of surface hoar.
Variable crust, facet, and/or surface hoar layers, buried throughout February, may exist within the upper 150 cm of the snowpack. Triggering these layers is less likely where a supportive crust is present. Upper treeline, and sheltered terrain in the alpine are suspect locations for triggering surface hoar.
Below these layers, the remaining snowpack is generally well settled and well bonded.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
