Northwest Coastal

The December week layer may still be reactive to moderate loads. Continue to make conservative choices as the new snow and wind comes into the region.

Fair - Due to the number and quality of field observations

A Pacific frontal system is moving through the forecast area bringing snow to higher elevations and snow flurries mixed with freezing rain to lower elevations. the North coast may see up to 25 cm of snow at higher elevation and rain up to 1500m. Winds are forecast to be light to moderate from the south throughout the forecast period. Wednesday will see a bit of clearing before the next pulse of moisture arrives later in the day. Freezing levels may spike close to 2000m as the system moves through.

No avalanches reported yesterday, but field reports indicate the instability still exists.  Shooting cracks and large settlements reported below 700 metres from a field trip yesterday.

Strong winds have redistributed the recent storm snow, and rain in some areas has produced a surface crust layer that will be of concern with future snow loading. A buried surface hoar layer in the mid-snowpack is still on the radar in some northern sections  and the mid December crust can still be found in the middle of the snowpack. This layer has been reported to be sandwiched between facets and surface hoar in some places. The November crust near the bottom of the snowpack is generally well bonded but may still be reactive in areas with shallow snowpack.