A reset; Hopefully
This week has been marked by an alpine inversion and unseasonably warm temperatures across southern BC and AB. Alpine temperatures have peaked well above zero, +6 in places over the past few days. While this is atypical for sure, it does bode well for healing the Jan 26/28 layer.
Warm temperatures promote sintering between grains. Where the overlying storm snow has become moist and the moisture has affected the Jan 26/28 layer, that bond will have improved. However, in areas that remained dry, that bond could still be questionable. My estimation is the persistent slab problem will remain to be more of a problem on sheltered north aspects at treeline or just below the inversion layer where temperatures remained cool.
That being said, whumphs have still been observed in low angled solar terrain and on the approach slopes to Video Peak in Rogers Pass recently. Skier triggered avalanche activity has tapered, but skier remote and skier accidental avalanches are still occurring on the Jan 26/28 layer.
Snowpack Concerns
Jan 26-28 Persistant Slab This layer is buried 20-50cm deep--it is buried deeper in the Monashees and Northern Selkirks and is shallower in the Southern Selkirks/ Kootenays. There is a high level of uncertainty about this layer, as there hasn't been enough loading to really test it over the past week. Expect increased reactivity with the incoming load of precipitation.
Outlook
The future looks bright with incoming precipitation and cooling temperatures over the next 10 days. Precipitation values will be higher in the Southern portion of the Columbia Mountains. This week will present some nice clearings for alpine tours coupled with powdered skiing. Stay vigilant with your suspicions surrounding the Jan 26/28 layer, it is a funky one.
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