Danger could be slightly higher in the alpine on Wednesday if we see snow accumulations of 10 cm or more with the approaching system.
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Tuesday: A frontal system approaches the coast and moves across the province. Flurries are expected during the day (2-3 cm) and moderate snow in the evening and overnight (~5 cm). Winds increase to strong from the southwest later in the afternoon. The freezing level is around 1200 m. Wednesday: Possible flurries early then a mix of sun and cloud. The freezing level drops to 500 m. Winds are light from the northwest. Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud. The freezing level is near valley bottom. Winds are light from the west.
Avalanche Summary
A couple new size 2.5 slab avalanches were triggered by explosive controlled cornice failures. The cornices triggered slabs on a steep north aspects that were 35-70 cm deep. Other than that, avalanche activity was limited to small loose sluffing in steep sun-exposed terrain.
Snowpack Summary
The snow surface consists of new wind slab in exposed alpine terrain, a sun crust on solar aspects, and surface hoar and/or facets on shady slopes. The recent storm slab continues to settle over old interfaces comprising of surface hoar, crusts and facets down 30-50 cm. However, areas that have buried surface hoar seem to be most touchy. Continued freezing temperatures overnight have helped to strengthen the snowpack at lower elevations.The mid-pack is generally well settled and the average snowpack depth at treeline elevations is near 130. Cornices have grown and may threaten slopes below.
pmarshall,
Avalanche Canada
