Storm slabs will grow a bit thicker with 10 cm of new snow in the forecast. Be ready for human triggering potential to persist through Sunday.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday
Weather Forecast
Saturday night: Flurries bringing 5-10 cm of new snow. Winds light to moderate from the southwest. Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud. Winds light to moderate from the northeast. Freezing level to 900 metres with alpine temperatures of -1 Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. Winds light to moderate from the southwest. Freezing level to 400 metres with alpine teperatures of -4. Tuesday: Flurries bringing up to 10 cm of new snow, beginning in the afternoon. Winds moderate to strong from the southwest. Freezing level to 700 metres with alpine temperatures of -2.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported. Please post your observations to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 15 cm of new snow fell over the South Coast region over Thursday night, with average new snow amounts closer to 5 cm. In some areas, the new snow overlies up to 3cm of recent graupel accumulation. Below the new snow and graupel, the previous snow surface is a mix of sun crust on solar aspects and surface hoar on shaded aspects. The new snow's bond to these surfaces will take some time to form. Older storm snow can be found below the new snow interface and it is reportedly well bonded to the widespread mid-February rain crust, now found down around 40-60 cm at higher elevations. The crust itself is supportive and roughly 20cm thick. Below the crust, the snowpack is still moist as a result of heavy rain from last week.
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.