Convective snowfall means localized heavy accumulations that are tough to pin down before they happen. Be ready to treat avalanche danger as CONSIDERABLE if you encounter more than 20 cm of overnight snowfall on Wednesday.
Sheltered areas at treeline will continue to offer the best and safest riding.
Surprising overnight accumulations could lead to fresh and reactive wind slabs forming alongside more stubborn, older slabs in snowfall hotspots in the region, likeliest in the Cariboos.
Watch for these wind slab pockets in steep north and east-facing, leeward slopes.
A weak layer of facets exists near the base of the snowpack. The likelihood of human triggering is low given the layer's depth.
Thinner snowpack areas may be more suspectable to triggering.
In addition to observing evidence of older natural storm and wind slab activity from earlier on in the storm in the Cariboos, operators from the North Rockies to the Cariboos (and beyond) observed a natural wet loose avalanche cycle focused in the later part of the day on Monday and on again Tuesday. This activity occurred on all aspects and in many areas extended all the way into alpine elevations.
Continuing convective flurries will bring light new snow amounts to the region through Tuesday night, adding to 20-50 cm of recent storm snow that has already been affected by moderate to strong southwest winds at most elevations. In sheltered areas above treeline, low density snow may still be found. Wind-affected or not, the recent snow overlies a widespread crust on most aspects except north-facing high alpine slopes, where it sits on old, faceted surface grains.
The middle of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
A weak layer of large facets is found near the base of the snowpack. This layer remains a concern in shallow snowpack areas.
Tuesday night
Cloudy with continuing convective flurries bringing a wide-ranging 2-20 cm of new snow. Light southwest winds shifting northwest.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud, clearest in the north of the region with isolated flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow to the south. Light northwest winds. Treeline high temperatures around -2 with freezing levels around 1500-1700 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with some sunny periods, trace to 5 cm accumulation. Light to moderate southwest winds. Treeline high temperatures around -3 with freezing levels around 1400-1600 m.
Friday
Sunny. Light southwest winds. Treeline high temperatures around 0 with freezing levels to 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
