Storm snow will be bringing with it the production of storm slabs and dangerous avalanche conditions.
New snow will be sitting on a crust in many areas and it is unknown how well it will bond. This storm slab problem will be transitioning into a wind slab problem later in the day on Wednesday and into Thursday. There is a possibility of avalanches running down to lower elevations.
No new avalanches have been observed or reported in the region. Observations in our immediate area are limited at this time of year, if you head into the backcountry consider submitting a MIN report.
Since Friday, snowfall accumulations range from 15 to 20 cm near the Duffey and upwards of 40 cm around the Coquihalla and south. At upper elevations, it covers a crust. At this writing, there has yet to be any reported reactivity on this layer. Below the crust is 40 to 80 cm of early November snow, which began covering surface roughness at upper elevations. The strength of this basal interface will become more evident with more field observations. The line where snow met dirt before Friday's snow, was around the treeline.
Terrain features poke through a building snowpack that grew from 45 to 60 cm around 1300 to 1400 m and upwards of 120 cm in the alpine. Most solar slopes and below treeline are below the threshold for avalanches.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy, 15 cm accumulation, winds southeast 15 km/h gusting to 50, temperatures -5 to -10 C,
Wednesday
Cloudy with sunny periods, 10 to 15 cm accumulation, south to southwest winds 15 to 20 km/h gusting to 70, temperatures -7 C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud, trace accumulation, winds north northeast 15 km/h, temperatures -10 to -15 C.
Friday
Mostly sunny, no accumulation, winds south 10 km/h, temperatures -10 to -15 C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
