Confidence
Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Friday
Weather Forecast
Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, moderate NW winds and freezing levels dropping to 800m. Saturday: Mostly sunny and dry with light NW alpine winds and freezing levels around 800m. Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud but dry with freezing levels rising as high as 2500m.
Avalanche Summary
A recent report includes observation of a Size 2 storm slab that ran naturally in the past couple of days on a northeast facing alpine slope. Other reports include cracking and whumpfing associated with basal facets on south aspects.
Snowpack Summary
New snow is expected to be poorly bonded, especially where it is sitting on a thin ice crust. The snowpack depth and structure is highly variable but generally shallow and faceted, which is unusual for the south coast. Recent warm temperatures have promoted strengthening, but weaknesses under the past week's storm snow remain a concern, particularly on wind-loaded slopes. A crust/facet combo buried near the end of November remains the upper/mid snowpack feature to watch. Basal depth hoar in shallow snowpack areas also remain a concern, particularly on south aspects.Early season riding hazards such as rocks, stumps and logs are lurking below the surface in many areas. In glaciated terrain open and poorly bridged crevasses are everywhere.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.