Northwest Coastal

Watch for fresh, reactive wind slabs forming at upper elevations as a new system arrives on Saturday.

During the storm earlier this week, a widespread storm slab avalanche cycle was reported to size 3. Natural activity has tapered dramatically since the end of the storm on Wednesday.

New snow begins to fall Saturday, over a hefty dose of storm snow from earlier this week. All of this snow will begin to settle as temperatures become milder over the weekend.

In some areas, the recent snow may have buried a layer of small surface hoar crystals over 1 m deep in sheltered terrain. A well-bonded crust may be found in the mid snowpack below 1400 m.

In general, this season's upper elevation snowpack is shaping up as the ideal coastal snowpack; deep, strong and uncomplicated. Snowpack depths in excess of 300 cm can be found at treeline elevations.

Friday night
Clear. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -23 °C.

Saturday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.

Sunday
Cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Sunday
Cloudy. 20 to 30 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
• Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
• Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.