Northwest Coastal

Recently formed storm slabs and wind slabs will continue to be reactive to human-triggering. Conservative terrain selection remains very important.

On Thursday a skier triggered, deep persistent avalanche was triggered to size 2.5 from a SE aspect around 1700 m. There were also numerous explosive triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 2. These storm slabs will likely need more time to settle out and bond, so expect them to be touchy to rider triggers through the weekend. At lower elevations (1500m and below), widespread loose wet avalanches were stepping down to size 2 wet slabs. If the sun comes out, natural avalanches are possible on steep south facing terrain features. In the far north, deeply buried persistent weak layers may still be reactive to large triggers such as a small avalanche stepping down or a cornice failure.

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Sunday

Unsettled conditions continue, bringing up to10 mm of precipitation Friday night. On Saturday, freezing levels will fall to 700 m with mostly cloudy skies and alpine temperatures of -3. Ridgetop winds will be light-gusting strong from the south. Sunday will see another pulse of precipitation 5-12 mm accompanied by moderate southwest winds. Alpine temperatures near -3 with freezing levels steady around 700 m. Monday will bring a mix of sun and cloud with alpine temperatures -5 and moderate winds from the south.

Recent storm snow accumulations are 40-80cm over the past week and overlie a melt freeze crust which extends up to around 2000m elevation. This recent snow is reported to be bonding well to the crust. Moist snow was reported below 1500m on Thursday and wet snow below 800m. Recent wind has redistributed the surface snow at higher elevations forming wind slabs in leeward features. The early January surface hoar/facet layer is down around 1m+ and remains a concern for commercial operations. This layer seems the most reactive in the north of the region but may still be a concern in the south as well. Shallow snowpack areas in the east and north of the region may have a weak base layer of facetted snow on or just above the ground.