Strong winds and flurries will build fresh slabs. Expect to find the deepest and most reactive deposits around lee features and open bowls.
Strong, gusty winds and flurries can quickly build fresh slabs. The deepest and most reactive deposits will first form around lee features and open, wind-exposed terrain.
On Monday, several small (size 1 to 1.5) wind slabs occurred throughout the region, both natural and skier-triggered avalanches were reported. See this Monday MIN
15 to 30 cm of wind-affected snow rests on a thick rain crust. In some areas surface hoar and/or facets are buried below this surface snow, 10 to 40 cm deep.
Recent and forecast strong winds have varied in direction, so wind slabs may be present on all aspects. These slabs should bond quickly, but may be more reactive where they overlie the weak surface hoar and facets.
The mid and lower snowpack have no layers of concern at this time.
Wednesday night
Cloudy with incoming flurries, 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C
Thursday
Cloudy with flurries, 10 to 20 cm of snow. Highest precipitation forecast from Kemano to Shames. 40 to 60 gusting to 80 km/h south-southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 30 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with flurries, 5 cm. 40 to 60 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
