Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain

A series of Pacific disturbances are lining up to hit the coast over the next few days. Light precipitation is expected to push inland on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Light snow (3-5 cm) should fall in the alpine and at treeline as the freezing levels fluctuate between 600-1200 metres over the next few days. A warm and wet storm is forecast for Monday.

No new avalanche observations. A widespread natural avalanche cycle to size 3 took place on Monday in response to recent storm loading and then rain. Avalanche types observed were loose wet, wet slabs, storm slabs and persistent slabs. Cooling will help reduce avalanche activity; however, the forecast cooling trend is so gradual it's tough to say exactly when or to what extent.

Recent storm snow is settling due to warm temperatures and high freezing levels. Some isolated wind slabs may develop in the alpine where dry storm snow is available for transport. Loose wet snow may be easily triggered at lower elevations that have not experienced a re-freeze since the last storm. Crusts may be developing at mid-elevations as the freezing level slowly descends. Within the top 50cm you may find a layer of surface hoar which was buried at the beginning of February. This layer was observed in the Hankin area and may exist in many other places. The early or mid January surface hoar layer is generally 50-80 cm deep, although it may be buried by well over 100cm of snow in the far west of the region. Observers have found this persistent weakness on all aspects and at all elevations. It consistently produces moderate "pops" results in snowpack tests. Below this, the Boxing Day surface hoar problem may also be lurking. The mid and lower snowpack is generally quite weak and faceted, especially in lower snowpack areas such as the Babines.