Heightened conditions are expected on steep alpine slopes that accumulate new snow.
Localized heavy snow accumulations are possible, with gusty westerly winds likely forming slabs on open slopes and along ridgelines.
Over the past few days, a variety of small avalanches have been observed, including wet loose avalanches on sun-exposed slopes, small wind slabs in the alpine, and cornice falls. It has been over a week since human-triggered avalanches were reported on the early April surface hoar layers.
Most high elevations are expected to receive 10 cm of new snow on Saturday, with up to 20 cm in localized areas. Since it will start as rain, the new snow should bond well to the wet, crusty surfaces.
Most terrain has undergone strong melt-freeze cycles, but the snowpack remains slightly more complex on north-facing alpine slopes. In the Selkirks, two surface hoar layers are buried 30 to 60 cm deep, and older weak layers may exist in the middle of the snowpack across the region. However, none of these layers are expected to be reactive under current conditions.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow above 1500 m, some hotspots north of Revelstoke may get up to 20 cm. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level drops from 2500 to 2000 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with 1 to 5 cm of snow. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
