Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

A fast moving  frontal wave will move onto the coast late today. It should move quickly across the province and be out of the area by Thursday morning. Another Pacific disturbance may bring light precipitation, then  weather begins to dry out and cool off.Wednesday evening: Mostly cloudy, light locally moderate snowfall, some parts of the forecast area may receive 10-15cm of snow, freezing level at valley bottom overnight, ridge top winds 20-30km/h SW-WThursday: Freezing level at or near valley bottom. Snowfall amounts, 5-10cm, ridge top winds from the W-NW 30-50km/h Friday: Freezing level around 100m. Nil to trace precipitation in the forecast for Friday.

We are still seeing reports of large reports of size 2 and 3 natural avalanches, as well as skier remote avalanches up to size 2.

Parts of the forecast region have received over 1.75m of cumulative storm snow which has now settled into a slab with a typical thickness of 60-90cm. This storm slab overlies a variety of facets, surface hoar, crusts, hard wind press, or any combination of these. Widespread whumpfing, cracking, natural avalanche activity and remote triggering at all elevations are a strong indication of poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Snowpack tests show easy, sudden collapse within the storm slab.  This storm slab problem will be with us for a long time as it is sitting on a large weak layer . Even when the ``whumping``stops,..it will still be dangerous, with potential for large, destructive avalanches.