Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

One last blast of Pacific moisture is set to clash with the Arctic air mass over the province as a low pressure system moves towards the Lower Mainland late Friday. As was the case with Thursday's storm, alpine precipitation will fall as snow with only the North Shore Mountains at risk of seeing some liquid precipitation creeping up the slopes as warm air associated with the low just clips the Lower Mainland.FRIDAY NIGHT: Freezing level at valley bottom, 10 to 30 cm of snow possible, moderate southwest wind.SATURDAY: Skies clearing throughout the day, freezing level at valley bottom, light to moderate northwest wind, trace of snow possible.SUNDAY: A few clouds, freezing level at valley bottom, light variable wind, no snow expected.MONDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level at valley bottom, light variable wind, no snow expected.

On Thursday control work produced soft storm slabs to size 1.5 with crowns up to 45cm in depth. Natural avalanches to size 1.5 were also reported.

Thursday's storm delivered 15 to 35 cm of new snow accompanied by moderate to strong winds out of the south/southwest. The new snow covers a medley of old surfaces which include stubborn old wind slabs and wind-scoured exposed crust in the alpine, and soft unconsolidated snow in sheltered areas at treeline and below. 20 to 60 cm below the surface you'll likely find a widespread melt-freeze crust that was buried on December 15th. This layer has not produced much in the way of avalanche activity, but could come to life with the additional load of new snowfall, especially in areas where loose facets exist above the crust.Beneath the December 15th layer, the lower snowpack is generally strong and well settled.