Northwest Coastal

New snow continues over the next few days, battling with strong winds. Fresh wind slabs build in sheltered terrain features, near ridgelines and rollovers.

On Friday, a size 1 natural wind slab was observed in north facing alpine terrain south of Ningunsaw Provincial Park. In the same area, explosive control produced a few size 1 to 2 wind slabs from north to west facing alpine terrain.

As much as 50 cm of recent snow now sits on top of a crust, that varies in thickness and strength. Surfaces in the alpine have been heavily affected by recent winds. The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated with no current layers of concern.

Observations are limited, but a weak layer of facets overlying a crust at the base of the snowpack has been reported. This layer only seems to be of concern in upper alpine terrain in areas with smooth ground cover, such as rock slabs and glacial ice.

Snowpack depths vary from 50 to 150 cm at the treeline. The deepest snowpack is found in the more western/coastal regions.

Saturday Night

Cloudy overnight with trace - 3 cm of snow possible. Southerly winds 20 - 40 km/h.

Sunday

Cloudy with 5 - 15 cm of snow, southerly wind 30 - 60 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing levels rise to 500 m.

Monday

Cloudy with 5 - 10 cm of snow possible, southerly wind 30 - 70 km/h, treeline temperature -4 °C as the freezing level rises to 500 m by afternoon.

Tuesday

Snowfall continues, however freezing levels rise to 1000 m by afternoon. Treeline temperatures reach -2 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
• Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.