Northwest Coastal

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain

Synopsis: A brief ridge of high pressure builds in for Monday bringing drier conditions and a mix of sun and cloud. The next system is forecast to affect the region on Tuesday. Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. The freezing level is around 600 m. Winds are light from the northwest.Tuesday: Light to moderate snowfall – 10-15 cm. The freezing level is around 500 m and winds increase to moderate or strong from the south-southeast. Wednesday: Unsettled with flurries or periods of snow. The freezing level is steady near 500 m and winds remain moderate from the south.

Observations are still quite limited due to poor weather but there are a few reports of natural slab avalanches up to size 3 from treeline areas, and numerous reports of loose moist avalanches up to size 2 from steep below treeline terrain.

The snow continues to pile up with another 25-40 cm overnight. This brings the total storm snow amounts from the past week to well over 1 m. Mild temperatures have promoted rapid settlement of the storm snow. This new snow fell on a crust, old wind slab, and/or surface hoar depending on aspect and elevation. One recent snowpack test near Shames resulted in a hard "pops" shear on the buried surface hoar, down around 60 cm at the time. Most areas are reporting that the snow has bonded well to the underlying melt-freeze crust. Cornices that now loom over many features may become weak with continued growth and/or daytime warming. The mid and lower snowpack layers are generally well settled and strong.