Northwest Coastal

Storm slabs are very reactive to human triggers. Conservative terrain selection is crucial.

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

We're looking at occasional flurries and cool temperatures throughout the forecast period. MONDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries and up to 3-5 cm of new snow, 30-50 km/h south winds, alpine temperatures around -10 C. TUESDAY: Flurries with 5-10 cm of new snow, 20-40 km/h south winds, alpine temperatures around -11 C. WEDNESDAY: Light flurries, 20-30 km/h south winds, alpine temperatures around -12 C.

On Saturday several storm slabs sized 1.5 to 2.5 (some remote triggered) were reported on north through east aspects, between 1100 and 1400m elevation. On Friday, storm slabs were very reactive to human triggers producing numerous size 1-1.5 avalanches and widespread whumpfing and cracking in flat terrain. Explosive control resulted in numerous size 2-2.5 slab avalanches. A widespread natural cycle occurred during the peak of the storm with up to size 2.5 slabs on a variety of elevations and aspects. Conditions will remain touchy as the recent storm snow settles and stiffens.

Another 5-10cm of low density snow falling Saturday overnight into Sunday has brought recent storm snow totals to 60-85 cm. All this snow has buried a variety of old snow surfaces including surface hoar, facets, crusts, stiff wind slabs and a melt-freeze crust below 1600 m. The storm snow has been very reactive on this interface resulting in widespread whumpfing and cracking in flat terrain, and sudden, propagation-likely test results. Below this interface the snowpack is generally settled and strong with the exception in shallow snowpack areas around Bear Pass and Ningunsaw where basal facets remain an ongoing concern.