Snow and wind are expected to continue however, there is some uncertainty as to just how much snowfall some areas will see. If trail breaking is deep and heavy, storm slabs have likely formed - stick to moderate terrain.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Weather Forecast
TONIGHT: Snow. Accumulation 15-20 cm. Ridge wind moderate to strong, southwest. Temperature -1. Freezing level 900 m.FRIDAY: Cloudy, snow. Accumulation 20-30 cm. Ridge wind moderate, southwest. Temperature -1. Freezing level 1000 m.SATURDAY: Cloudy, snow. Accumulation 20-25 cm. Ridge wind moderate, southwest. Temperature -1. Freezing level 1000 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy, snow. Accumulation 20-25 cm. Ridge wind moderate, southwest. Temperature -1. Freezing level 900 m.
Avalanche Summary
Last Tuesday a skier was injured in a loose, wet avalanche on the North Shore mountains when the top 10-15 cm of wet snow released on the January 8th crust. On Friday explosive control produced a size 1 avalanche that released a 45 cm thick slab on a weak layer just above the January 7th crust.
Snowpack Summary
At upper treeline and alpine elevations, 5 cm up to 30 cm of new snow has fallen and now covers the January 17th crust. At lower elevations rain has soaked the upper snowpack which consists of 90 cm of wet to moist snow and three deeper crusts (January 10th, January 8th and January 7th). These remain visible but have been unreactive in recent snowpack tests. The snowpack depth at 1000 m is about 150 cm and many early season hazards are still present.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.