Northwest Coastal

Heavy precipitation, strong winds and warm temperatures have the snowpack primed for avalanches. It is a good weekend to hit the ski hill!

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Exact temperatures and freezing levels are tricky to forecast for the coming days. Expect a mix of snow and rain in the mountains in the southern portion of the region. Freezing levels will likely be lower, with a higher chance of the precipitation falling as snow further north.FRIDAY NIGHT - Snow, mixed with rain 10-20 cm / southwest winds, 30-60 km/h / alpine low temperature near -1 / freezing level 700 mSATURDAY - Snow and rain 10-20 cm/mm / south winds, 30-50 km/h / alpine high temperature near +4 / Freezing level 1900 mSUNDAY - Flurries or rain showers, 5-10 cm/mm / south winds, 40-60 km/h / alpine high temperature near +2 / freezing level 1500 m MONDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods / light northeast wind / alpine high temperature near +1 / freezing level 1200 m

Natural avalanche activity is expected to continue through Saturday.An avalanche incident was reported in the Shames backcountry area on Thursday. The incident involved two skier triggered avalanches occurring in succession with two people involved and partially buried. The details can be found on the Mountain Information Network. (here)Several natural and explosives triggered avalanches to size 2 were reported in the region on Thursday.

The Northwest Coast has seen upwards of 100 mm of precipitation since Wednesday. Depending on elevation and location in the region, this came in as snow, rain and freezing rain. Strong to extreme winds, warm temperatures and ongoing snowfall/rainfall will be promoting widespread slab formation. The snowpack is likely rain-soaked at lower elevations, particularly in southern portions of the region around Terrace.In some sheltered areas, the new snow is sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas. The potential may also exist for storm slab avalanches to step down to this layer, resulting in large avalanches.In the northern part of the region, near Ningunsaw pass, a couple of weak layers of surface hoar may be found down approximately 150 to 220 cm.