Winter returned to the mountains.
Triggering fresh storm slabs is possible on steep open slopes.
A short, intense storm on Tuesday brought 20 to 50 cm of new snow.
Storm slabs may be triggered in parts of the region that received heavier accumulations, and on steep wind-loaded slopes.
Tuesday’s storm follows a period of limited avalanche activity, with reports of size 1 to 1.5 cornices failures and wet loose avalanches.
Looking ahead, concerns shift to the new snow: initially storm slabs in steep terrain, then lingering wind slabs, and eventually wet loose avalanches with sun and warming.
Snowfall amounts will vary with location and elevation, so verify in the field and use more conservative terrain where snowfall is deeper. About 20 cm is expected east of Whistler, 30 cm west of Whistler and near Squamish, and up to 40 cm in higher terrain on the North Shore.
This snow falls on a mix of crusts and moist or isothermal snow, depending on aspect and elevation.
The snowpack has undergone multiple melt-freeze cycles, forming a series of crusts with dense, rounded snow between.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy. Another 5 to 10 cm of snow ending around midnight. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 0 to 2 cm of snow. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Thursday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 0 to 1 cm of snow. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
