Thanks to colder temperatures, conditions have stablized since a widespread avalanche cycle occurred on Sunday. While the natural avalanches have ceased, the potential for human triggering remains.
Windslabs formed on Sunday now have reduced reactivity due to the onset of cold temperatures, which has helped stabilize surface layers. However, they are not gone and expect to find windslabs in most leeward, loaded areas. While unlikely to release naturally, they could still be triggered.
A 40-100 cm slab sits over the Jan. 24th surface hoar layer on shady aspects, and crust/ facets on southerly slopes up into the alpine. The surface hoar has been most reactive in Yoho and Kootenay between 1600-2200m.
A widespread avalanche cycle on Sunday resulted in many avalanches, with only a few being reported today. The Sherbrook Lake area experienced a large cycle. Otherwise our observations are limited in Yoho and Kootenay today, but the Field area experienced a large cycle triggered by rain on Mt. Stephen and Mt Dennis.
Sunshine Village ski patrol reported windslabs today with several size 1.5-2 avalanches triggered by explosives.
Sunday's 20-40 cm of snow was blown into windslabs by extreme winds, and fell as rain to almost 2000 m, causing a widespread avalanche cycle. Monday's temperature drop of 12 degrees has created a crust to 2000m with 5-10 cm of dry snow on the surface. Windslabs remain in the alpine, but they are less reactive due to the cold. Buried surface hoar (Jan 24) in Kootenay and Yoho is now buried close to 90 cm down and remains reactive.
Our region is now under the influence of a NW flow, which should keep temperatures cool and precipitation steady through the week. Tuesday looks like around 5 cm, but expect another 20 cm by Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures will remain cool (-10 to -15), and winds will be light to moderate through this period.
