Confidence
Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Friday
Weather Forecast
Friday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light to moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at 2100mSaturday: Very light snowfall / Moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at 1100mSunday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light and variable winds / Freezing level at 1000m
Avalanche Summary
There have been no reports of recent avalanche activity.
Snowpack Summary
Relatively small pockets of stiff wind slab have formed at higher elevations in response to recent light snowfall and strong to extreme southwest winds. In shaded areas at treeline and below the new snow may overlie surface hoar which is reported to be reactive in the Meager Group (upper Lillooet). Several crusts can be found in the snowpack, especially on solar aspects; however, reports indicate these interfaces have settled out fairly rapidly in most areas. The mid and lower snowpack layers are generally strong and well settled. Total snow depths vary from around 400 cm in the south to around 180 cm in the north.
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.
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.