Regions
South Coast Inland.
Stiff wind slabs may still be reactive to human triggers: Steep, unsupported terrain and wind-loaded features are most suspect. Continued snow transport is expected with ongoing cold temperatures and winds.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear with cloudy periods isolated flurries near the Coquihalla. Alpine temperatures near -28C. Ridgetop winds moderate from the northeast.SATURDAY: Sunny. Alpine temperatures near -16C. Ridgetop winds moderate from the northeast. SUNDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures near -14C. Ridgetop winds moderate to light from the northeast.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures near -14C. Ridgetop winds light from the northeast.
Avalanche Summary
Pockets of wind slab were reactive to skier traffic early in the week through Wednesday, when a few natural small wind slabs up to size 1 were reported in the northern part of the region. Otherwise, no new avalanches were reported.
Snowpack Summary
Alpine terrain is heavily wind affected to varying degrees on all aspects. 15-30 cm of snow and shifting winds from last weekend has formed wind slabs predominantly on southerly aspects. This recent snow is sitting a variety of old snow surfaces including a crust on all but northerly aspects, wind pressed and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar and/or sugary facets in sheltered terrain at treeline and below. Below this 50-80 cm down sits a crust that formed mid-January right to mountain top on southerly aspects and on all aspects below 1700 m. Additionally at this depth, feathery surface hoar may be found in shady sheltered areas at treeline. This surface hoar layer is reported to be most prevalent in the far southeast of the region near Manning Park but is unreactive at this time.The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.