Triggering storm slab avalanches is possible in the alpine. Back off to more conservative terrain if you notice heavy loading from new snow or wind.
Storm slabs are likely forming at higher elevations as new snow accumulates. The Coquihalla area has received the most snow and therefore likely has the thickest and most widespread slabs. Elsewhere, reactive slabs are likely limited to wind loaded slopes.
Minimal avalanche activity has been reported over the past week. Some parts of the region may have received enough new snow over the past few days to form slabs at higher elevations. The greatest concern is in wind affected terrain and where the storm snow sits on smooth surfaces (such as glaciers, rock slabs, and areas that already have enough snow to cover rocks and shrubs).
Less snow has made its way into the South Coast Inland region than areas closer to the coast. 10-15 cm of new snow is expected by Friday afternoon, bringing recent storm totals to about 25 cm for most parts of the region. The exception is higher elevation terrain around the Coquihalla that will have closer to 40 cm of storm snow by the afternoon.
Even with this new snow, snowpack depths remain quite thin throughout the region. Current snowpack depths are around 50 cm at upper treeline elevations, with many rocks and trees sticking out at lower elevations. In the alpine you can find slightly deeper areas where wind has formed hard wind slabs.
THURSDAY NIGHT: 15 cm of snow in northern parts of the region and 5 cm of snow above 1700 m in southern parts of the region, 40-60 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine temperatures around -2 C.
FRIDAY: Scattered flurries with up to 5 cm of snow, 40-60 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine temperatures near 0 C.
SATURDAY: 10-15 cm of new snow above 1400 m (rain below), 30-50 km/h wind from the northwest, alpine high temperatures around -2 C.
SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind from the north, alpine high temperatures around -4 C.
