Danger will increase rapidly if we receive more snow and wind than forecasted.
Weather Forecast
The big picture shows a series of storms tracking across BC over the next few days. Up to 25cm of snow may fall today with strong SW winds. Freezing levels will rise, but to what elevation (1600m?) is uncertain. A slight lull Friday, then another pulse Saturday bringing a further 20-25cm of snow with warm temp's and strong SW winds.
Snowpack Summary
The new storm snow today will be covering up a variety of old surfaces. The biggest concern is the large surface hoar (20mm at and below tree-line, 6mm up to ridge-lines) and facets that it will be sitting on... a very unstable layer as the new foundation. Sun crusts with surface hoar were prevalent on steeper SE through SW aspects.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed yesterday.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.