Regions
Northwest Coastal.
Weather Forecast
Saturday: Expect an unsettled day, with winds turning northeasterly and some isolated flurries. Temperatures could climb to -10. Sunday & Monday: Mostly clear skies with light northerly winds and cold temperatures. Clouds will begin to build late in the day on Monday as the next system arrives.
Avalanche Summary
Natural avalanches up to size 3.0 and rider tiggered up to size 2.0 have been reported in the past 24 hrs.
Snowpack Summary
Generally, up to 45 cm of new snow sits over a strong melt freeze crust that exists below 1000m on all aspects, and over wind-pressed powder on shaded alpine features. Facets and spotty surface hoar have been found sandwiched between the newer snow and the old surfaces at treeline and below. This surface hoar is not completely widespread, but is responsible for much of the recent activity. In deeper areas or areas with a bit more wind loading, it is buried by as much as 70cm. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong. Check out our Forecaster's Blog for some insight on incremental loading.A Special Avalanche Warning has been issued for the North Coast and Interior regions of BC. Click on the link above for more information.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.
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.