Northwest Coastal

UPDATED AT 6:40 AM: Heavy snowfall and wind has caused very dangerous avalanche conditions.

Moderate

• Uncertainty is due to the timing of the incoming weather system.

As the snow piles up we expect a natural avalanche cycle will begin during the day.

A few small natural wind slabs were reported on Wednesday on south through west aspects. Some natural dry loose avalanches were also observed.

Over the past few days, wind slabs have been reported on a variety of aspects and elevations due to the shifting winds, so wind slabs can be expected on all aspects in wind-affected terrain.

20 to 40 cm of new snow is burying old wind slabs on many aspects and in some places extending down into the treeline.

Cold temperatures have faceted the snow surface. The new snowfall this weekend is expected to bond poorly to this weak surface layer.

The snowpack remains generally deep and simple for the time of year, with treeline depths exceeding 300 cm.

Saturday Night
Cloudy. 10 to 25 cm of snow. 45 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Sunday
Cloudy. 15 cm of snow. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Monday
Cloudy. 25 to 35 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Tuesday
Cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Travel in alpine terrain is not recommended.
• Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.