South Coast

Ongoing snowfall and southerly winds will add more load to already thick storm slabs and large cornices. Conservative terrain selection remains wise.

Moderate

MONDAY: moderate to light snow starting overnight with 5-20cm expected by the end of the day,  mainly light westerly winds, 1200m freezing level. TUESDAY: light snowfall continues, moderate westerly winds, 1200m freezing level. WEDNESDAY: clearing, light and variable winds, 1200m freezing level.

On Friday, two natural cornice triggered storm slabs were reported in the north of the region. One was a size 3 storm slab on a northeast aspect at 2000m and was 100cm thick. It was reported to have run full path to the end of the runout. The other was a size 2 on a northeast aspect at 2200m that was 30-60cm thick. On Thursday, a natural avalanche cycle occurred in the north of the region with storm slabs up to size 2.5 reported. Storm slabs are expected to remain touchy to human-triggering on Saturday and natural activity is possible in freshly wind loaded terrain.

40-70cm of new snowfall has accumulated in sheltered areas with greatest amounts to the north of the region. Weaknesses within or at the base of the new storm snow may need a couple days to settle and strengthen. Southerly winds have created deep and dense slabs in lee terrain, probably well below ridge crests, while scouring windward slopes. This intense loading may have overloaded a weak layer of surface hoar buried at the beginning of February. This layer was primarily a concern in the South Chilcotin Mountains. Where it still exists, it would be 100-150 cm deep now. Ongoing stormy weather has also encouraged extensive cornice growth.