Wind slabs may still be encountered up high, especially in the central and northern parts of the region. Minimize your exposure to cornices during the heat of the day.
Wind slabs may linger at high elevations, particularly in the central and northern part of the region where the most snow accumulated on Saturday. Carefully assess for wind slabs in steep, committing terrain features.
Cornices are large and looming along many ridgelines and have likely grown with the recent snow and wind. They become increasingly weak when the sun comes out and freezing levels rise. They require a large berth when travelling above and below them.
Monday night - Clear periods / moderate northwest wind / alpine low temperature near -2 / freezing level 1200 m
Tuesday - A mix of sun and cloud / moderate northwest wind / alpine high temperature near 0 / freezing level 1500 m
Wednesday - Snow, 25 cm / strong southwest wind / alpine high temperature near 0 / freezing level 1000 m
Thursday - A mix of sun and cloud / light northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 1000 m
We haven't received any observations for the South Coast region in the past few days. If you get out, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network to help us know what conditions are like.
Over the weekend, the South Coast received 15 to 25 cm of snow in the central/north of the region, and 5 cm along the North Shore, all above 1400 m. The snow fell with southwest wind, so wind slabs may still exist in lee terrain features at high elevations. The new snow fell onto a hard melt-freeze crust so it could take a few days to bond to it. The snow surface has likely melted and frozen into a crust on sun-exposed aspects.
Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines. Their release is unpredictable, requiring a large berth if you're travelling above or below them.
