Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Tonight and Sunday: Snow tapering off tonight, scattered flurries Sunday / Winds moderate to strong westerly / Freezing level 800mMonday: Isolated flurries / Winds moderate to strong westerly / Freezing rising through the day up to 2000mTuesday: Cloudy / Winds moderate to strong southwesterly / Freezing continue to ri8se as high as 2500m.

Natural avalanche activity was report to have intensified Friday although these avalanche were a result of developing to storm slabs. Earlier in the week a deep slab avalanche was triggered by a snow cat at Whistler Blackcomb. This avalanche highlights the potential for large and deep avalanches in many areas on the South Coast. As heavy loading continues through the day expect more large deep avalanches.

Saturday's storm clobbered the region with another 60-80 cm of snow accompanied by strong winds (Whistler Blackcomb recorded gusts at ridge top up to 170km/h). A total of 60-80 cm of new snow has fallen in the last few days and may overlie surface hoar in sheltered terrain.  The unrelenting southwest winds have formed large and touchy wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline.The cold temperatures of early December left persistent weak faceted crystals that seem to be variably reactive. At higher elevations where the snowpack was deeper, the facets likely co-exist with a crust in the mid pack. At lower elevations or in shallow, rocky areas of the alpine, the facets are most likely more widespread and may exist down near the ground. Either way, the "wait 48 hours and you're good" Coastal mantra does not apply as these conditions are likely to persist for some time.Early season riding hazards such as rocks, stumps and logs are lurking below the surface in many areas, especially at lower elevations. In glaciated terrain open and poorly bridged crevasses are everywhere.