Although the storm has subsided, human triggered avalanches remain likely, especially in wind loaded areas.
Keep in mind that a persistent weak layer is now buried up to 150 cm. Avalanches on this layer will become harder to predict, so a conservative approach is important.
A widespread weak layer consisting of a crust, with facets and/or surface hoar on top of it is now down about 80-150 cm. This layer is expected to produce large avalanches for longer than what is typical after a storm on the South Coast.
Fresh storm slabs are expected to be easy to trigger, especially in wind loaded areas.
TUESDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods / light southeast wind / alpine low temperature near -3 / freezing level 600 m
WEDNESDAY - Sunny with cloudy periods / light north wind / alpine high temperature near -2 / freezing level 800 m
THURSDAY - Mainly cloudy with a few flurries, 5-10 cm / strong west wind / alpine high temperature near 0 / freezing level 1000 m
FRIDAY - Mainly cloudy / strong northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 700 m
Human triggered avalanches remain likely on Wednesday, especially in wind loaded areas.
A widespread natural avalanche cycle, with avalanches up to size 3, took place on Monday night. Most of these avalanches failed on the persistent weak layer.
It has been a busy week for avalanche activity in the South Coast mountains, with natural and/or human triggered avalanches reported every day since last Monday. These avalanches have failed on the persistent weak layer that was recently buried.
North Shore Rescue responded to a serious, but non-fatal avalanche incident last Tuesday evening near Cypress Mountain Resort. One person was involved and was partially buried. The avalanche was a size 2 storm slab on a west aspect at approximately 1100 m and failed on the recently buried persistent weak layer.
There is about 80-150 cm of snow sitting on a widespread persistent weak layer. This weak layer consists of a crust that also has weak facets and surface hoar on top of it in many areas. This layer is taking more time to gain strength than what is considered typical for the South Coast region.
Click here to watch North Shore Rescue's January 29 snowpack discussion, which illustrates this concerning snowpack structure.
