Regions
Northwest Inland.
Confidence
Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Saturday
Weather Forecast
Overnight and Saturday: The ridge of high pressure is expected to flatten out Saturday afternoon allowing cloud and light precipitation to move into the region. Expect 5-7 cms of new snow by Sunday morning with alpine temperatures around -4.0 and moderate Southwest winds.Sunday: The weak area of low pressure should move down the coast allowing drier air and light Northerly winds to fill in behind. Freezing level should be about 500 metres.Monday: Unsettled weather is forecast for Monday with cloudy skies and light Southwest winds. Models are not in agreement for Monday. Hopefully we will know more tomorrow.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported from the region.
Snowpack Summary
Surface hoar continues to develop during the clear nights, and near surface facets continue to develop. Foot penetration has reduced to about 25 cms as the recent storm slab continues to settle. The west of the region is reporting a very well settled snow pack at all elevations. The East parts of the region have reported a shallow weak snowpack with areas of basal facets. Strong southwest winds have formed touchy wind slabs in exposed terrain in the lee of ridges, gully side walls, and behind terrain features. There are a variety of old interfaces now down 60 - 100cm which include facets, crusts and isolated pockets of surface hoar.
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.