Wind slabs may remain triggerable on steep, upper elevation wind-loaded features.
Check for slabs before entering committing terrain.
Wind slabs are slowly gaining strength, but may remain possible to trigger on steep wind-loaded alpine slopes, including the lee sides of ridges and cross-loaded features.
Sunny, warmer periods can make wet loose avalanches more likely on steep slopes. Use appropriate sluff management techniques and avoid being under cornices or steep sunny features during the warmest parts of the day.
Tuesday’s storm likely produced some natural avalanches, howver none have been reported. Observations are extremely limited this time of year.
Looking ahead, wind slabs will continue to be most concerning on lee north and east facing features. Wet loose avalanches will be possible during times of sun-exposure and warming on south through west aspects.
Tuesday’s winter storm delivered about 50 cm to the North Shore, 30 cm in the Coquihalla, and 15 cm in Manning Park. Another 5 to 10 cm fell in the Cascades on Wednesday night.
This storm snow should settle and bond to the underlying crust fairly rapidly, but wind slabs may still exist at upper elevations on shady northerly through easterly slopes.
Sun-affected slopes likely have a thin new sun crust which may melt and soften with daytime warming.
The remaining snowpack shows no concerning layers at this time, and areas below treeline are largely below the threshold for avalanche activity.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear skies. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m dropping to 1000 m.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level rising to 2100 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 mm of rain at treeline. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 7 °C. Freezing level 2600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
