South Coast Inland

New snow and strong winds will continue to build wind slabs in exposed areas. Use caution as you transition into wind affected terrain.

High

• We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.

On Saturday a size 2.5 natural cornice failure was reported on a north aspect in the alpine. Avalanche control produced size 2 cornice failures and wind slabs up to size 1.5. Since Thursday, several rider-triggered storm and wind slabs were reported on north to east aspects at treeline. Natural wind slabs up to size 2 were observed in the alpine in the Duffy area.

Persistent slab avalanches up to size 2.5 ran on the February crust during last week’s storm in the South Chilcotin.

The new snow is falling on wind-affected surfaces at upper elevations and possibly sun crust on steep solar aspects.

Below 2300 m, a widespread crust formed in early March is buried 20 to 60 cm deep.

Another crust, formed in February, is buried roughly 60 to 100 cm deep, surrounded by weak faceted grains. Activity on this layer has been isolated to the northeast of the region, in the South Chilcotins.

The remainder of the snowpack is generally strong and well-bonded.

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Monday

Cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 90 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 4 to 5 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Strong wind is building wind slabs farther downslope than usual.
• Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.