Fresh snow amounts are variable across the region, and may have formed reactive wind slabs on many aspects due to changing wind directions.
Keep in mind that even brief periods of sun could initiate avalanche activity in the new snow.
10-20 cm of fresh snow with moderate to strong winds have likely formed reactive wind slabs in lee terrain. Wind slabs may be found on many aspects due to recent variable wind direction.
Cornices are large and looming along many ridgelines and have likely grown with the recent snow and wind.
Wednesday night - Flurries, 5-10 cm / moderate northwest wind / alpine low temperature near -5 / freezing level 500 m
Thursday - A mix of sun and cloud / light to moderate northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -3 / freezing level 1000 m
Friday - Snow, 15-20 cm / strong southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -5 / freezing level 800 m
Saturday - Mainly sunny / light to moderate northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -4 / freezing level 1000 m
Reactive wind slabs may be found on a variety of aspects due to changing wind directions.
We haven't received many observations for the South Coast region in the past few days. If you get out, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network to help us know what conditions are like.
10-20 cm of new snow accumulated above 1000 m on Wednesday, and another 5 cm is expected on Wednesday night. Moderate to strong winds have likely formed wind slabs on many aspects due to variable wind direction. The new snow sits on a crust on sun-exposed aspects, and all aspects below about 1400 m. It likely fell on either wind slabs or soft snow on north aspects above about 1400 m.
Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines. Their release is unpredictable, requiring a large berth if you're travelling above or below them.
