The Coquihalla and Allison Pass areas received locally heavy snow and may have a greater storm slab problem than other areas.
Confidence
Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Wednesday: Convective snow showers. Moderate south-westerly winds, decreasing through the day. Freezing level around 700m.Thursday: Light snow. Light, south-easterly winds. Freezing level around 500m. Friday: Cloudy with flurries. Freezing level remaining near 500m.
Avalanche Summary
No new observations were reported on Monday. On Sunday, a size 3 loose avalanche failed naturally with solar warming on a south-east aspect in the Coquihalla area. A size 3 slab also failed on a north aspect, 1.5m deep and 100m wide. A few isolated avalanches were observed on Saturday in steep, rocky terrain. On Thursday, a natural loose moist avalanche cycle was observed in the Coquihalla region between 1400-1700m, with avalanches of size 2-3.5. A few slabs also released, with crowns of 50-60 cm. Explosives testing in the Duffey Lake area produced slab avalanches up to size 2.5 and skiers triggered very touchy storm slabs to size 1.5.
Snowpack Summary
Snow and wind created fresh wind slabs and storm slabs on Tuesday. Snow which fell last week is slowly settling, but variable storm snow weaknesses and buried crusts mean a deep storm slab release is still possible. Large cornices threaten slopes below. Crusts down around 60cm can be found on solar aspects in the Duffey Lake, Chilcotin, and Coquihalla areas. These exhibit moderate to hard, sudden results in snowpack tests.Deeper persistent weak layers are variable in distribution across the region. A crust/surface hoar/facet layer buried in early February, now down about 1.5m, is still is a key concern. It is especially prevalent on south-facing slopes above treeline, and all slopes below treeline. Although the likelihood of triggering this layer has decreased, the potential for surprisingly large avalanches remains.
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.
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.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.