Winter continues. Snow forecast for Thursday is expected to create storm slabs at upper elevations.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY: Rain to about 1300 m, with up to 25 cm wet snow falling at higher elevations. Moderate to strong southerly winds. Freezing level near 1500 m.FRIDAY: Light snow. Light southerly winds. Freezing level near 1500 m.SATURDAY: Light to moderate snow, falling as rain below treeline. Light winds. Freezing level rising to 1750 m.Weather models disagree on the amount of precipitation expected this week.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported.
Snowpack Summary
Alpine areas around Squamish are expected to develop new storm slabs on Thursday. New snow will add to recent snow which overlies variable surfaces including crusts and facets. Little is known about these buried weak layers, but they are more likely to be problematic on shady aspects. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong.At treeline and below, a strong spring snowpack exists. Rain may break down surface crusts on Thursday, but the snowpack is expected to regain strength once the temperature drops again.
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.